Luthier Richie Dotson changing a Friction Banjo tuner to a Geared one.

[@truebluepicker2938]

Thanks for the educational information Ritchie, you are a generous man with your knowledge and work experience. The 5th string tuner on my RB250 came loose and your help assisted me in having the confidence and ability to undertake the repairs myself. I set the tuner back at approximately the angle you showed so the string comes off the pegged low and once my tuner was in position I used a cloth covered G clamp to VERY GENTLY bring the tuner into position. No glue required and it works fine. It is obvious that your time and effort in putting your videos together is appreciated by many.

[@decoustudio]

I had no idea how to do go about doing this operation, did a google search, found your video. Your video was clear enough that I think I can give it "go" now. Thanks for your work in putting this video together. Mark DeCou

[@Cameronwhiteoak]

I probably wouldn't have tried this before viewing your video (several times!). I modified a tapered reamer to match the taper of the new one, drilled with an 11/32 drill, and then reamed the hole. A dab of Gorilla wood glue and all is well. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

[@emloves311]

a soldering iron totally helped melt the glue holding my old tuner in place... new geared one I installed works great!

[@conicEllipse]

Thank you for making this video and for sharing this information with us. Before watching this video, I had no idea there was difference between the kinds of pegs. (I'm relatively new to banjo.) I enjoyed the video and you play very well, too. Thanks!

[@kannon11t]

Thank a lot! your a life saver! im a new banjo player and my tuning peg had been stripped for awhile and wont stay taut. Ive gotta order one of those geared ones.

[@Sundlofmusicalengineering]

I have seen some banjo fifth string tuners with a set pin but it attaches in the tapered portion at a perpendicular angle I have seen them installed correctly one way but I forgot to write it down or remember it until I encountered the tuner again. What is your procedure behind that install? Great Video I now know the unexplained buzz in my old kay banjo round the 3-5 frets thanks for the detail and tool info.

[@banjobilly32]

Richie, Nice job explaining. I just did one on a banjo I put together. Used almost an identical reamer, but I did tap the shoulder on the tuner with a small hammer! So far it's holding. Keep the videos coming! That sure looked like a well used neck!!

[@jeremyreagan9085]

Thank you so much Mr. Dotson I have one of those lower Quality pegs and thought I could simply remove it and re-install geared one. The issue I have is when I tighten the 5th string it holds the string in tune only to a Point and will not hold the string in tune. I thought I could simply remove it for a higher Quality one. But, after seeing your very wonderful Video I will not attempt tp fix it on my own. I have Banjo maker I know and now I realize why he was so careful when his work it is a very skilled work that he and you do.

[@inkey2]

I was going to use epoxy resin on a 5th peg problem I have right now. But I think I'll try a wood glue like you did. I was having second thoughts that I would never be able to get the peg out if it broke. Glad I watched this video

[@RichieDotson]

This is a widely used installation technique as far as I know. Thank you for viewing and for your comments. They are always appreciated.

[@fknbrett99]

thanx! - my buddy's banjo turned out gr8 because of this video -

[@egrowe3]

Thanks for the info! After watching this and reading some of the comments below I took a torch to the peg for a few seconds and it lifted right out. Know I have to order a new one, one much better.

[@johncharleskennedy8621]

Very helpful Richie. Thanks,

[@emloves311]

in order to remove my tension tuning peg and replace it with my new fancy geared tuner, I have to remove a tiny metal ring inside the neck that's holding it in place... I think it may just be epoxied in or something. Have you encountered this before? Any suggestions?

[@perkinsukulele]

Thanks for that ...what a great teacher!

[@jsawyereditor]

Would you share your resource for buying the pegs? Also, do you take work? I have a 1928 Supertone, Dixie Wonder 414 I picked up at a garage sale for 5 bucks but it did not have a nut, bridge, pegs or tailpiece. I have managed to replace everything but the 5th string peg. Right now i am using a simple wood friction peg (cut down from an old violin peg) and it a pain to tune. I'd love to put a geared or even a proper friction tuner in but the neck is fairly small. Suggestions? I really love playing this banjo, I love the sound. It originally went for $10 in the 1929 Sears catalog and I only paid $5 for it so I can afford to spend a few bucks. I'm a 70 year old guy that isstill learning to play.

[@RichieDotson]

Currently the geared 5th string peg I am using comes from Stewart MacDonald. You can find me at www.AcousticBox.com and yes, I do take on work. I hope this helps.

[@isurelike]

Thanks for the vid. Helpful! Question: What if the hole is too big for the new tuner? Paper shim? Also, if the hole is too deep, would you fill it in?

[@RichieDotson]

Then you need a repair person... a qualified one. It must be reamed, a proper fitted tapered plug installed, drilled and reamed to fit. Too complicated (to do properly) for a quick video. Seek a banjo luthier, NOT pimples the clerk at Guitar Center.

[@highdesertgigs]

very nice video. I am going to try it myself

[@lastnickeldrifter]

I need to do this on an old banjo, i bought the new geared tuner, but i'm nervous of drilling out a new wider hole, because the old hole is right up against the fretboard edge. Just wondering if i can drill a completely new hole, the alternative is somehow drilling off-centre. Help!! ♪8^0

[@RichieDotson]

No. That would lead to problems big time, in my opinion. If you don't have a drill press or an experienced person to help you I would wait. You will also need the reamer mentioned in the video. I hope this helps.

[@lastnickeldrifter]

actually got away it, it works fine....but unfortunately, the old neck is quite warped and shifting the strings to one side aswell! problems.

[@mattshawfitness]

my peg came off my banjo so I super glued it back in but got super glue on the mechanism not its glued shut. is wood glue better? or is it I just used to much super glue and got it everywhere? and does clamping help?

[@RichieDotson]

Crazy glue isn't the right glue for this job. I like to use hide glue for this application. You also probably used WAY too much glue, but it would be hard to make that determination without seeing your banjo person. Good luck.

[@ggrunau]

I'm going to give it a try after watching this video and ordering a banjo peg hole reamer.

[@BanjoMikeGregory]

Clear instructions. One tiny bit of nagging, from a guy who, as a first-timer, ruined a few necks. Just in case somebody has an old neck without a truss rod, a wrap of tape on the drill bit, matching the length of the tapered section of the peg, would keep a first-timer from drilling too far in and weakening the neck.