If you lot take a banjo without a instance--one that didn't come with one, or an unusually shaped banjo that's hard to find a case for--you lot might want to try your hand at this quick woodworking project. You lot'll end upward with an unusual banjo case that is the talk of the bluegrass festival.

Lay your banjo on the plywood, and with a straightedge, mark the shape shown below around the instrument. Allow a few inches for the thickness of the sides and room to add together cream blocks to secure the banjo in identify.

  • If you have a banjo without a instance--i that didn't come up with ane, or an unusually shaped banjo that'south difficult to find a case for--yous might want to attempt your paw at this quick woodworking project.
  • Allow a few inches for the thickness of the sides and room to add foam blocks to secure the banjo in identify.

Cut matching coffin-shaped pieces for the top and the lesser of the instance. Measure how thick your banjo is and make the sides an inch and a one-half taller. This allows for a 3/4-inch or ane-inch foam acme and bottom to protect the instrument.

Attach piano or strap hinges on the outside of the box where the sides meet at the corners

Use a protractor to effigy the angles of the end cuts of each side and so that the two sides meet properly. Exam fit the sides every bit you become to forbid mistakes. Measure twice, cut once. Get together the sides on top of the bottom slice. Install piano hinges or a pair of strap hinges on the outside of the box where the sides come across. Glue the sides with carpenter's glue, then mountain the hinges with bolts. Predrill the holes and use bolts with the round heads on the inside of the example. These will exist padded and covered when you line the instance.

  • Use a protractor to figure the angles of the cease cuts of each side and so that the two sides meet properly.
  • Predrill the holes and apply bolts with the circular heads on the inside of the case.
Attach screws to the sides through the bottom of the box.

Adhere the bottom of the box to the sides using gum and pocket-size sparse bolts every iv to 6 inches. Brand sure you drill directly into the sides and not into the box. Clamp or weigh down the sides and box while the glue sets.

  • Attach the bottom of the box to the sides using glue and small thin bolts every 4 to 6 inches.
  • Clamp or weigh downwardly the sides and box while the glue sets.
Place the lid over the open box.

Cut a 2-by-two-inch middle brace and install it in the box in front of where the banjo pot will rest. Adhere with screws from outside the box. Mark the position where the hinges, latch and handle become. The handle should exist where the loaded case volition residue every bit you carry it.

Note the placement of hinges and latches

Install the hinges on the correct long side so that the chapeau will open on the side where the handle is located. Don't also put hinges on the short side at the "head of the coffin" (you lot'd be surprised how many do that and then can't open the box.). Commodities hinges and latches in place through predrilled holes. Put the round bolt heads inside the box. Trim and sand off any excess commodities on the exterior so you don't snag things.

  • Install the hinges on the right long side and so that the lid will open on the side where the handle is located.
  • Don't too put hinges on the short side at the "head of the coffin" (you lot'd be surprised how many do that and so can't open up the box.
  • ).
Foam blocks secure the banjo in place.

Fix the banjo in the box. Cut and place cream blocks around the banjo to brace it in identify and mark the placement. Place a layer of cream over the bottom of the case. Attach the foam blocks with glue. So, use short staples to attach the plush fabric over the foam within the case. If you spray the cream kickoff with craft glue, the fabric volition tend to adhere to the cream and continue it in place better.

Add brass handles all round and you'll have a real head-turner of a case.

Sand the example, stain and varnish or paint, and you're done. Add decorations, carvings or wooden trim as you similar.

Don't use heavy plywood. The weight increases dramatically. Gum and screw for added force at joints. You can use a router effectually the edges of the lid to improve the expect. Bank check online for custom hinges, latches and handles.