New Banjo

That's good mate, where did you find it?

Bunnings in Fyshwick mate

That's great you found it.

Top build mate I wish i saw this before i bought a gs21 but i don't think i would be able to build it as good also about the bread crate idea if you were to get a metal one custom made with no flow under the 3 riffles do you think that would work? the reason i ask is because in theory the zig zag idea sounds good, kinda like a mini river in your sluice.What do you reckon James

smaug wrote:

Top build mate Thanks mate I wish i saw this before i bought a gs21 but i don't think i would be able to build it as good also about the bread crate idea This works very well but it all depends on the amount of minerals {blacks} you are encountering if you were to get a metal one custom made with no flow under the 3 riffles do you think that would work? No need to get one costumed made just pick a row where all the X's line up and riffle it there you only need two over the crate. and then you only need them in heavy mineral areas the reason i ask is because in theory the zig zag idea sounds good, kinda like a mini river in your sluice. Yes indeed i agree but it all gets back to how much blacks your going to encounter. What do you reckon James

Having the ability to fit your unit with if and when need be with a set of Hungarian Riffles with ease is just another tool in your kit to help you get the gold. So why not

Thanks would you ever make a banjo for sale or only give help or advice to build one?

help or advice only mate i just don't have the time to make and sell them. Bugger me i cant even get back to the one i started but that will change soon i hope.

I had an hour or two this afternoon so I legged up me new Banjo. Photos 1, 2 & 3 shows how I placed the legs. Photos 4, 5 & 6 shows how I fitted the leg strengthens.  It is very important not to have movement in your legs the vibration from the movement settles the blacks like cement and the fine gold will shoot out of your banker never to be seen again. That idea was tried back in 1989 by Miners Den but was soon drooped for that very reason.

That build is great Jimmy. How do you bend the legs so precisely without creating some sort of a warp or curve along the whole length of the leg? And also forgive my ignorance but how do you bend all of the aluminum into shape? Do you just apply force over a sharp edge?

Lookin good

Great Job James, hopefully one day I can see it running.

Outlander wrote:

That build is great Jimmy. How do you bend the legs so precisely without creating some sort of a warp or curve along the whole length of the leg? in a vice then lay them on a flat surface bending them slightly until they match And also forgive my ignorance but how do you bend all of the aluminum into shape? Do you just apply force over a sharp edge? I have a press break {metal Bender}

If any member in the Canberra are wishes to use the bender they can pop in anytime.

findthecolor wrote:

Great Job James, hopefully one day I can see it running.

One day mate you will use one if ever you get down this way on a trip.

James wrote:

findthecolor wrote:

Great Job James, hopefully one day I can see it running.

One day mate you will use one if ever you get down this way on a trip.

Thanks mate, can't wait.

Time to paint the Banjo but first I need to undercoat the aluminum so the paint will take hold. I use an construction non water based  adhesive  for this. First I get an old tin put in a bit of unleaded petrol and a good amount of adhesive. I then mix this till about as thick as custard I may need to add a bit more adhesive to the mix. When done I just paint it on with a throw away paint brush and leave overnight to dry.

The adhesive



The paint I use





Mixing the undercoat





The banjo undercoated.



One last point do not use 2 stroke petrol the oil kills the adhesive. Banjo weight 7 kg so far.

Very Nice

Creative use for old, leftover spaghetti.  

The most common construction adhesive here is called "Liquid Nails" and is my favorite for permanently holding 'things' in a water environment.  I would never have thought to dilute the adhesive to be used as a primer.  Do you 'scuff-sand' the Aluminum first for better adhesion?

Beautiful work there James!


Joe

Pure workmanship, so many good tips from a Master......Do you know James I just thought of something. Just watched some shorts for Master Chef of Sun....and they have coming to the Kitchen......the Master of cooking......Marco Pierre White.

Well I reckon your the Marco Pierre White.....of Australian prospecting. Your tips never cease to amaze me, and the rounded corners are superb.

It's that attention to detail, just like they did years ago, I had the privilege like you mate growing up in those times when our elders taught us if you're going to do something, do it right and to the best of your ability.

I still look at my 'Banjo' in amazement.....what a work or art and I will treasure it till the day I leave this earth.

What a pleasure knowing you James....and one day I hope to meet you, I know that will be a special time for me, and I just know we're going to get on like a house on fire.

On ya mate.

Len

Yeah Joe we have that too, and heaps more, went to Bunnings the other week, looking for some construction adhesive, and couldn't believe the range they have, I was bamboozled.

hahah

ALASKA JOE wrote:

Creative use for old, leftover spaghetti.  

The most common construction adhesive here is called "Liquid Nails" and is my favorite for permanently holding 'things' in a water environment.  I would never have thought to dilute the adhesive to be used as a primer.  Do you 'scuff-sand' the Aluminum first for better adhesion?

Beautiful work there James!


Joe

You bet i forgot to add that bit.

All i have left to do on her is to give her feet, paint & pipe and jet

I'm lucky enough to own one of Jimmys Banjoes as well. Sturdy things they are for their size. I'm keen to see the paint job - wish it could be filmed. I was also wondering like Joe whether you had to do a little sanding first to make a stronger bond for the glue??

Jimmy are you going to paint it before you pipe and jet it and do you use the same undercoat method for the PVC?

Sanding yes indeed i forgot to add that bit. Painting before the jetting pipes go on today.

Start with the black as your base coat. When your using the green, Paint in one direction only.