rcmoore - Posted - 11/28/2011:  17:42:09

I like to reuse the old flesh hoops from broken skin heads to install new skin heads when possible. I have found that many old banjos with skin heads had flesh hoops that were not joined at the ends. Of course once the head is tightened, the tension hoop and the skin holds the flesh hoop ends together. When the ends of the flesh hoop are not joined, it is initially a problem keeping them together until the skin is under the tension hoop.  I have found that using the appropriate size heat shrink tubing keeps them joined just fine. This works much better than tape because it does not loosen when it gets wet, and it is much neater. Try it, it really does work. I guess you could put it all around the hoop if you feared the hoop might rust or oxidize and turn the skin black at the contact point.

Bob Moore

banjonz - Posted - 11/28/2011:  18:47:40

Heat shrink does work...up to a point. I also use masking tape. That does seem to really stick the ends together.

rcmoore - Posted - 11/28/2011:  19:46:15

I guess I should have stated that I use two layers of tubing. Put both tubing pieces on the hoop, move one out of the way, align the ends, move the first one over the joint and heat it, move the second one over the one just heated, heat the second one. I've never had it fail.
Bob Moore

Fathand - Posted - 11/28/2011:  21:06:10

Great idea, I used Masking tape but had trouble with it falling off

Quickstep192 - Posted - 11/29/2011:  03:25:49

There's a heat shrink tubing that has heat activated adhesive on the inside. It sticks like nuts after heating and shrinking. Search for "adhesive lined heat shrink tubing".

banjonz - Posted - 11/29/2011:  12:24:54

quote:

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Originally posted by rcmoore

I guess I should have stated that I use two layers of tubing. Put both tubing pieces on the hoop, move one out of the way, align the ends, move the first one over the joint and heat it, move the second one over the one just heated, heat the second one. I've never had it fail.

Bob Moore

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Thanks Bob, I have used ONE layer of the tubing and at time it didn't work. Didn't think of using two. Great idea!