PM3520 & McNaughton corer

Re: PM3520 & McNaughton corer

Gary Ljostad

>If you tighten the nut on the bottom of the banjo too much you will end up with the problem you describe. The handle has to be able to rotate some for the cam to get to it's side and lock. When using the center savor the banjo should be on an angle with the back almost under the turning. About a 45 degree angle. This also puts more banjo on the ways, which helps holding.

Re: PM3520 & McNaughton corer

George Van in WI

>Gary, I will try loosening the nut a little and see if that helps. I have had this problem even when the banjo is under the bowl. Unfortunately it does not fit under the larger bowls.

Re: PM3520 & McNaughton corer

Bill Grumbine (Kutztown PA)

>Hi George

Just to reinforce what Gary has already written, and to commiserate a little, I have had this from time to time with my Poolewood (gasp!). I know, hard to believe and all that, but it is true. There is a sweet spot for the cam that holds the banjo tight, and it takes a little bit of fiddling and experimenting to find it, but once you have it, you can crank that thing on very tight indeed. Many is the time I have tightened the Poolewood for an unsuspecting student, only to have them try to get it loose with both hands! However, if the nut on the bottom is not in the right spot, it will not tighten up as it should.

So, to adjust the tightness of the banjo itself, loosen the nut up so that you can swing the locking lever all the way around without it tightening the banjo at all. Then, start tightening the nut up a little bit at a time until you get to a spot where you can pivot the locking lever around and it holds really well. It will be trial and error, but it does not take long, and you will soon learn where the arm should stop for maximum holding power.

Good luck with it.

Bill