Cutting the radius on the neck

I decided one of the first things I should do, while the neck is still in its squared off shape, is cut the radius where it will attach to the rim.  Adapting some examples from Old-Time Banjocraft and the web, I made a jig to hold the neck at 3 degrees.

Neck Jig

The neck is angled back from the head of the banjo at 3 degrees so that when the bridge holds the strings off the head by about 5/8in, the strings end up running right down the neck, just over the frets.

The neck is angled back so strings run parallel to neck

The neck attaches to the round rim, so in addition to the angle, the cut must also be curved  to match the rim.  Using my new tension hoop as a pattern, I  traced a half circle on a piece of 3/4in plywood and cut it out on the bandsaw.  I then used the tension hoop again and traced a curve on my jig where the heel was to be cut.  With the half circle guide clamped to the bandsaw table with the apex right at the cutting edge of the blade, I was able to guide the jig and neck through the blade cutting at 3 degrees and curved to match the rim.

Cutting the radius in the heel

Jig at the bandsaw

I think it came out well!

Cut in heel