Hi folks, a while back I built a fun little 3-string slider using a broomstick handle. In retrospect, I'm beginning to think that it needed to be just a tad heavier to handle the tension of 3-strings. Anybody got experience using broomsticks for necks, and if so, what size they would recommend? Thanks.
You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!
Replies
I used a 1" red oak dowel from Home Depot to make this canjo. I have since restrung it with a 52 gauge string.
I believe that it is definitely strong enough to hold 3 strings.
I ave not tried a 3 string , but did a Didley Bow one string - the string was the wire wrapped around the straw & pretty heavy. I think it is about 1", but had some cracks from weathering. - Momma wasn't about to let me tear up her good broom :-)
I've used one inch dowels for one string, which worked fine. It was some kind of white wood, species unknown. I believe Lowes/Home Depot might have oak dowels?
A standard broom stick size (3/4") of a hardwood like hickory will easily handle 3 strings..... If you buy dowel sticks, know what wood it's made of. Some are either soft woods or "open grained" hardwoods that will either bend or break under pressure.
The only broomstick necks I have seen use two sticks side by side. I am really unsure a standard broomstick could stand up to a two stringer??
I have used shovel and ax handles successfully.
Here's a six-stringer that uses only a single stick:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG2QCSHpThU