Way cheap and with cheap I mean free, just elbow grease to go get it,
cut & stack it. It's totally outside-weathered, no drying/ageing
required before putting it on the lathe, talk about ready to go...
Last year, or is it two years already, I made this banjo out of the
same stuff (the teak I used for the fretboard was also free):

http://www.haruteq.com/newbanjo/newbanjo.htm

Making a banjo was actually the reason I started learning this lathe
thing. I first made a whole bunch of round thingies to practice on,
including an extension for the post on my cheapo drill press else the
banjo's rim wouldn't fit for finishing it.

Now that I have that banjo, an incredible instrument by the way that
I've performed with on stage many a time, the turning hoby is pretty
much at the seen-it-done-it point. At the bottom of the page I just
mentioned is a picture of a banjo bridge, I do use the lathe [with a
sanding disk on it] for making those. Those bridges have become kinda
famous in the banjo world and yes, I do use the same free wood for
making those too.

Before I started building this banjo I had never done any woodworking
other than cutting 2X4's when finishing a basement or something. I've
said it before but it deserves to be said again, the banjo would not
have been possible without the help, advice and encouragement so many
of the fine & friendly folks (Leo, Art, Darrell and many more) on this
newsgroup had so generously fired my way.

Along the way I've become a woodfreak and really started appreciating
the beautiful treasures Mother Nature has made for our enjoyment. This
particular wood, I'm pretty sure it's jatoba (probably a lower grade
than furniture quality), real gorgeous stuff and I feel guilty about
burning it in the fireplace. The FP "unfortunately" is an intregal
part of our heating system, so the budget kinda depends on this stack
but if anyone wants to trade me some regular firewood for it I'd be
game for that (I'm in the Hamilton, Ontario area).

Any more banjos in the offing? You betcha, there's plenty kept aside
for that ))

Merry Christmas to all,

Bart.
-
**botox treatments: taxidermy on the living**

Check my most up to date email address at:
www.haruteq.com/contact.htm
awesome banjo bridges, tabs, stained glass:
www.haruteq.com