One-Piece One-Handed Guitar Capo

thingiverse

Check out http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:988513 for an enhanced version of this capo. No fiddling with screws and levers - this one-piece capo snaps on with one hand. The presser bar is curved for a rounded fretboard. Don't own a guitar? Print these for your friends and they'll stop teasing you for being a tech buff! (Or, just print your own guitar: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:710561) Instructions Update: In the initial STL file, the spring could snap if you tried opening the capo too far. I made some minor tweaks so that the spring bottoms-out before breaking. Use this updated file capo_c.STL instead if you've downloaded an earlier version. Printing Tips: Printed in PLA with 0.2mm layers, 5 shell, and 35% infill. This model needs to be fairly solid for the spring to work correctly. (ABS is not as stiff as PLA, and I'm unsure if it will function properly.) You need very good bonding between the perimeter lines for this capo to operate effectively. You may need to adjust the temperature, and perhaps increase the extrusion multiplier parameter a bit to ensure the perimeter lines bond completely. I added a small felt pad to the bottom clamp to protect the finish on neck. If the clamp is not tight enough, you can use a thicker pad. Placing a rubber/vinyl pad on the presser bar can also help keep strings from buzzing. I use 2 layers of vinyl electrical tape on mine. Don't leave this capo clamped on when you aren't using it because eventually the spring will relax and not squeeze hard enough. Some users report that their capo works well in one color but not another. The pigment can affect the strength and stiffness of PLA, so you might try a different color if yours doesn't work effectively. (I suspect less heavily pigmented PLA will function best.)