Had a slight set-back last week, when my trusty dust extractor died nearly taking me with it. Sparking motors and a bin full of fine wood dust don't mix!
I escaped unscathed and have made a fair bit of progress on these commissions:
Root's Black Walnut 6-string is awaiting an Ebony rim cap before I turn down the inside and fit the rolled brass tonering.
Henri's Black Walnut banjo just needs the rolled brass tonering fitted and holes drilled for the shoes before continuing work on the neck.
Ron has commissioned a Cherry open back, which is coming along nicely, and also an upgraded mountain banjo, which I have just started working on.
Tony's 'Boucher' is in the design stages, it will have a steam bent 12" x 3" rim and a 27" scale length.
I've also got a 'head start' on the next batch after these 5 are finished!

,Just finishing this 'classic' style banjo for Tony, from the  Ramblin' Pickers.
Tony required a sturdy 'classic' banjo (similar in style and measurements to his 100 year old 'Clifford Essex') to take on tour alongside the Walnut open back I made for him last year.
To complete the build sooner and keep costs down, we decided to use a rather nice, good condition 'vintage' spun rim I already had in the workshop and make a new neck for it. Turned out to be a great banjo.
Tony has also asked me to build him a Minstrel 'Boucher' style banjo, so keep an eye out for that over the next few months. Next on the build list is Root's 6-string!

Here's a photo selection of the latest 2 freshly finished banjos.
Specs are:
Maple neck and 12" 2-ply rim dyed black
Dobson tone ring
Brass hardware
26 3/16" scale


Walnut neck and 12" block rim
Rosewood tonering
Aged brass hardware and overlays
24.75" scale
Dyed calf skin head