Where to buy curly maple for home made truss rod cover?

[Hanzalot]

Hi all,

I want to make a truss rod cover for my Gold Tone CC-100 banjo so I was hoping someone could point me to a place where I could buy the curly maple for it. Just a small piece is all I need.

*EDIT: I've found something now but I would like to ask what would you suggest for finish on something like this?

Here is how the headstock looks (except way better in real life):



Thanks for your help,
Hans

[Kitchen Guitars]

Rockler sells project wood in all sizes. You might do something with chopping up a pen blank. Is there any local custom cabinet makers in your area. I used to get awesome Striped maple from a trim guy. Unfortunately that was a few years ago.
I have a cool hunk of Birdseye I can send you as long as you are not posting from Europe

[Hanzalot]

Ahh, great offer but I am posting from Europe .

I don't know of any cabinet makers but I'll find out if there is one around.

Also, by the way: What would be the proper finish to apply to something like this? The headstock has a pretty glossy finish, but it doesn't necessarily have to match that...

Thanks,
Hans

[mb propsom]

I suggest that you look up a local violin repair person or a local luthier. Either one would probably have a scrap large enough for your cover.

[badbazil]

Stewart McDonald or LMI.

[Hanzalot]

Thanks everyone, I have managaed to find something now that should work.

What would you suggest for finish on something like this?

-Hans

[Kitchen Guitars]

Maple is closed pore wood so you don't need to seal it. I do a pretty polish with sandpaper then a Polishing set like this;

http://www.stewmac.com/shopby/item/3...FQV_hwodiBqFqQ

[dchristo]

I would use lacquer on it, so it will match your headstock

[Ned Milburn]

Originally Posted by Hanzalot

Thanks everyone, I have managaed to find something now that should work.

What would you suggest for finish on something like this?

-Hans

Get a touch of hardwood flooring clear coat (lacquer) at a hardware store, or if you wish you can order some "guitar" lacquer from one of the luthier suppliers.

[leftybanjo]

Try clear nail polish, thin it with lacquer thinner, should work fine.

[Kitchen Guitars]

Or Superglue.

[charles Tauber]

Yet another possibility is to purchase a spray can of automotive clear, high-gloss lacquer. Easy, quick to apply, readily available. Apply in numerous thin coats waiting for each coat to dry before adding the next - about an hour between coats.

Another option is a wipe-on poly sold in a can - high or low gloss, as you wish. Apply with a rag, three coats. Very easy, difficult to screw-up. Available at your favorite home building store (e.g. Home Depot...)

[badbazil]

600 is plenty finish with a spray clear.

[Hanzalot]

So, ordinary lacquer like you use on any wood surface or automotive lacquer. That sounds great.

How many coats should I apply - and badbazil what do you mean when you write that "600 is plenty finish"?

Thanks again,
Hans

[charles Tauber]

Originally Posted by Hanzalot

How many coats should I apply

Depends. If you want a high gloss finish, you'll need to apply enough that you can sand the finish level, then polish. That will require more coats, maybe 6 to 10.

If you want a lower gloss finish, enough to polish with steel wool or similar level of abrasive. Maybe 4 to 8 coats.

In either case, it'll depend on a variety of factors. You'll see when it starts to build, then add another few coats. Having too thick a finish isn't really a concern on a truss rod cover. Sanding through the finish if it is too thin is a pain, particularly if the wood if stained and/or filled, which it won't be in your case.