Soprano Ukulele (Various Ornamentation Designs)
Description
Here is my 3D print Soprano Ukulele. The instrument is fully functional once completed. I am quite pleased with how this turned out and have thoroughly enjoyed having a homemade custom ukulele. I have constructed two of these. The orange one was my prototype and the teal one, which reflects the files posted here, is the improved version. I prepared a video to introduce the ukulele on Youtube. Please forgive my amateur video making and musical skills, but hopefully it serves to demonstrate the features and sound of the instrument better than mere photos and text. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81DYY27_dg0 The ukulele is assembled from several 3D printed parts held together with glue and some standard fasteners. You will also need to get strings for it. Here's what you will need to compete the project: - 3D printed parts 1 Bottom piece 1 Sides piece 1 Top piece (choose from available styles in “Top_Styles” folder. "SH" indicates decoration only around the sound hole) 1 Bridge 1 Finger Board 1 Neck 3 Fret Pegs (choose loose or tight fitting) 4 Tuning Pegs 4 Pads 1 Medallion - Non printed parts (check you friendly local music/hardware stores or order online) 1 set Ukulele Strings (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07N287LYY?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details) or similar. 8 Nuts 5/16" width 8-32 thread (https://www.mcmaster.com/products/nuts/thread-size~8-32/width~5-16/) 2 Screws 3/8" long 8-32 thread (https://www.mcmaster.com/91440A192/) 1 Screw 1 ¼" long 8-32 thread (https://www.mcmaster.com/91440A201/) 1 Screw 2" long 8-32 Thread (https://www.mcmaster.com/91440A205/) 4 Thumb screw or bolt ½"-¾ " long 8-32 Thread (https://www.mcmaster.com/96966A133/) Glue (https://www.amazon.com/BEACON-All-Purpose-Permanent-Adhesive-2-Ounce/dp/B000VA9ESS/ref=sr_1_2?crid=CKIKQYQWRX46&keywords=beacon+all+purpose+quick+grip+glue&qid=1682816220&sprefix=beacon+all+purpose+quick+grip+glue%2Caps%2C100&sr=8-2) or something like that. I was able to get all the hardware pieces at my local Ace for just a few dollars. Just be sure to get nuts that are 5/16" between flats or you'll need to use a wrench and washers instead of the built in sockets. Instructions: Print the necessary components as described in the 3D printed parts section. I used ABS for everything except the Tuning Pegs and the Medallion. I chose ABS for its ease of post processing and I thought it might have better acoustic properties (don't know if it really matters). I made the Tuning Pegs with PETG because I tend to get better layer adhesion and strength out of my PETG parts and I need them to be able to hold the string tension (I also used increased wall count). I used PLA for the Medallion, because I had some pretty MIKA Silk that I wanted to use. That being said, that's just what I used, feel free to use what you like. Glue the Sides piece to the Bottom piece putting a line glue all around the edge. Note that there is a right side up orientation on the Sides piece. The flat side should mate with the Bottom piece. Attach the Bridge to the Top piece using the 3/8" screws and 2 nuts. Add a touch of glue to hold the nuts in their sockets on the Top piece just in case the screws should come loose later for some reason (once assembled it's hard to access them). Attach the Finger Board to the Neck. I did this using the tight Fret Pegs and no glue. It is a little tricky, I had to file them slightly to get just the perfect press fit then drove them in with a hammer and punch while holding the neck with a rag in a bench vise. Alternatively, you could try using the looser Fret Pegs and some of your glue. You will use the three Fret Pegs lining up the three holes in the Finger Board and Neck. Loosely screw the Neck to the Sides piece using your 2 longer screws and 2 more nuts. Apply a little glue to hold the nuts in their sockets. Glue the Top piece to the Sides as you did the Bottom. Tighten the screws attaching the Neck to the Sides. Press the 4 Tuning Pegs into the Neck from the bottom side while simultaneously pressing the 4 Pads into place. The Pads work like brake pads on the Tuning Pegs to allow you to adjust the resistance. Insert the 4 remaining nuts into the pockets on the head of the Neck. Thread the thumb screws or bolts into these nuts. As the screws tighten the Pads press harder onto the Tuning Pegs increasing their resistance. Glue the Medallion onto the head of the Neck where there is a little indentation for it. It's just for decoration. If you want to design your own medallion, emblem or sticker the diameter is 0.59 inches. String the ukulele placing the bead end of the strings into the Bridge and running the strings up through the holes in the Tuning Pegs. Tune the ukulele tightening the thumb screws enough that the string tension does not turn the Tuning Pegs but not so much that you cant turn them with your fingers. Once you get it tuned up right you can tighten the thumb screws a little more if you want. Keep in mind that new ukulele strings may have a break in period, so you may need to tune it often at first since the strings are new. Enjoy! This was a really fun project, and I'm quite pleased with how it turned out. I've been a casual ukulele player and collector for many years and I'm super excited to have a unique one of a kind ukulele made in my own home to add to my collection, and I hope that others can enjoy it too. I made using Solidworks and borrowing some measurements from my Lanikai soprano ukulele.
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