Ukulele

thingiverse

This is my second attempt at building a soprano ukulele. It boasts a louder, fuller tone that truly shines through. I've optimized the design to print on a minimum 5 x 8 printer platform without supports. To build this instrument, I used PLA and constructed it with incredible stability in mind. The neck connects seamlessly to the body (lower hole) via 1/4-20 x 1-1/2 L socket head cap screws, washers, and nuts. Meanwhile, the upper hole features a 1/4-20 x 3 pan head screw for added neck strength. I've included the hole inserts from my previous ukulele design, which will also work perfectly with this one. Simply pick one up and snap it into place in the fretboard bottom - you'll need to place both pieces on a flat surface and give them a firm smack together for that satisfying snap fit. The ukulele's fretboards and bottom flange are securely attached with #6 x 1/2 L flat head wood screws, forming the structural backbone of the instrument. A tiny gap will remain when the project is complete - but you can easily fill it with epoxy if desired, or leave it as-is. Standard friction type pegs keep everything turning smoothly, while the strings are carefully fed through curved holes at the top of the fretboard and twist wrapped for a secure fit. The bridge is initially loose and should be glued into place in the provided slot to prevent shifting - which might cause an unpleasant snapping sound when played. If you encounter issues with installing the 1/4-20 nuts and washers, try epoxying them in-line with the hole while keeping the threads clear for the screws. Also note that the plastic will eventually relax under tension and affect tuning over time - but warming the ukulele slightly near a fireplace for a few minutes, then cooling it to room temperature before re-tuning should speed up this process. Update 1/8/2018 I've added various Bridge heights to customize action (three different heights are included) Modified Fretboard Bottom posts into a captive block for string tension Eliminated frets 15 thru 18 since they didn't function properly Lowered Fretboard Bottom top surface forward of the sound hole Added a Large Hole insert with a skirt to increase sound output and cover body flaws - this may be a bit tricky to install, as the skirt does protrude inward. Update 4/11/2018 I've added metric hardware references for your convenience. Update 4/14/2018 A license change has been implemented (no remixes are permitted).