Open Back Banjo Stand

This is a stand for an open back banjo that allows the banjo to free stand eliminating the need for the player to hold or carry the instrument on their shoulders.

• Speaker stand
• 1/16" sheet metal
• Plastic cutting board
• 2 Pronged tee nuts
• 2 Threaded knobs or bolts
• Pipe insulation foam
• Welding supplies

Wrap a rectangular section of cardboard around the banjo to make a template.

The template should wrap around the bottom of the banjo and be about an inch wider than the banjo is deep.

Cut two holes 0.5in from the edge on two of the corners.

Test fit the template by sticking bolts through the holes. The bolts should rest against the back of the banjo.

Transfer the template to the sheet metal and cut out the pattern.

Drill the holes in the sheet metal before bending the metal into a crescent shape.

Using a steel pipe or the edge of a work bench to press the sheet metal by hand into the edge of the work bench.

It is best if multiple small bends are made and measured frequently to get the most even and well fitting curve.

Cut 6in off the internal pipe of the microphone stand and weld it to the bottom center of the metal curve.

Cut a two 1in wide strips from the plastic cutting board.

Heat and and bend the plastic at a 90 degree angle using a heat gun. Use a vice or the sharp edge of a table to get a sharp bend.

The legs of the plastic pieces should be long enough that the banjo can slide under the "L" shape before it is tightened.

Drill a hole in one leg of the plastic as close to the corner as possible. Drilling the hole after the plastic is bent allows for the hole to be a close to the corner as possible.

Run a bolt through the hold and thread the pronged tee nut on the end. The tee nut can then be heated to melt itself into the plastic cutting board.

The bolt can be replaced with a knob or a knob can be welded onto the bolt.

After test fitting the banjo paint the exposed metal to prevent rust.

Cut open a section of the pipe insulation long ways and glue it to the metal using contact cement.

Smaller sections of the pipe insulation can be cut to wrap around the plastic cutting board and bolt.