Installing Side Dots on a Banjo

    Installing side dots in a banjo neck (usually done during construction) is another step in the many it takes to build a banjo.  You may even find a banjo that doesn't have side dots installed.  This method describes the pre-finished (new construction) banjo neck installation.

    Side dots are installed on the bass side of the banjos binding.  Should no binding be used, white side dot material is generally used and is installed directly into the side of the fingerboard.  The dots go in the center of the binding at each inlay.  They aren't usually installed at the location of the name plate, though.  Each position marker gets one dot with the exception of the 12th, the octave, it gets two that are side by side.  Center their locations between the frets and in the center of the binding and mark.  I use a 1/16" brad point bit for accuracy and my cordless drill.  The material I am using is available in a couple of different sizes so the drill bit you need may be a different size. 

    Do not drill too deep.  Only the depth of the binding is necessary.  After drilling all the holes I use Duco cement (an acetone based glue) that provides a molecular bond between the binding and the side dot material.  A very light coating is all that is needed.  Then the material simply gets inserted into the hole and clipped to within 1/16" of flush. 

    I use a sharp wood chisel, then 220 sand paper and finally finish off the job with a wood scraper.

   All done.  This is one of the easier steps in building a banjo neck.