Heel crack in Gibson bowtie 5stg banjo

[Lee Gendvilas]

Hello again. I now have a Gibson bowtie 5stg banjo with a crack in the heel (see pics). I would like some help in making sure I'm thinking correctly. I'm planning on cleaning the crack, gluing with hot hide glue and clamping. Then, plug the hole with a hardwood (any recommendations?) and re-drill the hole for the screw. Looking forward to your replys!

[nathan clark]

I would cut away about 1/8" and give it a wooden heel cap.

[Greg Mirken]

After gluing the crack see if you can find phenolic rod or tubing (Garolite is a brand that McMaster-Carr carries). This rod consists of concentric layers of cotton fabric in phenolic resin, and it's great for this sort of application because it won't split. Drill out oversize and glue in your rod, redrill for the lag screw. [Thanks to FF for showing me this stuff.]

Are those ugly round marks on the heel from the repair of the crack through the other lag? A heelcap matching the fingerboard would add strength and look a lot nicer.

[Lee Gendvilas]

Thanks Nathan and Greg for replying.

Greg-yes, the round marks are from the repair of a crack through the other lag. It's looks to me that the heel became two pieces at one time. The headstock also has a repair to it as it looks like the headstock and the neck became two pieces at one time also (maybe the same time as evidence by the touchup on both repairs left).

My questions now are: does it matter for grain direction for the heel cap? Is 1/8" for the heel cap thick enough? Would mahogany work for the heel cap? As for the prior repairs, would it be a good idea to refinish the neck when the future repairs are done? Will refinishing considerably lessen the value of the instrument (given it's current state of repair)?

 

[Greg Mirken]

Use rosewood or ebony for the heelcap [3/32 or 1/8 is plenty thick] with the grain parallel to the neck. Don't refinish.

[Tim Mace]

I'm wondering if you could replace the lag bolt w/ a brass insert in the heel and a 1/4' female hex bolt after the garolite method?

 

[Lee Gendvilas]

Wow, thanks for the fast reply! Found the McMaster-Carr website and will order the impact-resistant rod.

Thanks again.