6/17/2013 - Banjo Boys, Chapter 20-1/2

I heard from Monty that he had finished re-sizing his tension hoop this weekend.  Just as I did, he made his tension hoop just a tiny bit too small.  It's really easy to do, since the rim tapers outwards from the top surface (where the head stretches) to the bottom surface.  Also, you have to leave enough clearance for the thickness of the head as it stretches down the side of the rim.

We each took a different approach.  I started over with a new piece of brass.  Monty decided to recut his hoop and silver-solder a small piece back in to expand it.  Here is the result before grinding it and filing it smooth and polishing it.  When he's done, you won't know that there's even a joint (or two).  Nice work, Monty.