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3 Simple Ways to Share What You Make
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With Instructables you can share what you make with the world and tap into an ever-growing community of creative experts.
Here are the complete steps toward building a 3-stringed musical instrument, taught and inspired by the Andy Mackie Music Foundation. the instrument h...
When choosing your stick, make sure it is planed evenly on all four sides, doesn't bow or bend, and is straight & true! I use "instrument-grade" wood...
Here we're measuring the slope, where the tuner-holes will eventually be drilled.
Here you'll see I've built a special jig which rests up against the guide on the table saw. It angles the stick just slightly, so that it saws off th...
Here I'm measuring an inch from the end, to where I'll mark my first hole. I use a tuner template, which is the base plate of a set of tuners I've sa...
First, drill all six holes with the smaller drill bit. Then switch to the larger drill bit, and drill only half-way down, stop, and back up. Turn ove...
9.5 inches from the other end, mark and drill a hole on the same side as your (wider three) tuner holes. I recommend again using a pilot drill bit, an...
Here I like to refer to this step as "cutting out the step." In this instructable, I've only included cutting out the step for the front side only, ho...
The end piece should look like a trapezoid when finished. Sometimes I've made two sections glued together to make an extra thick end piece. If you glu...
I've found that it is most useful to build a jig with the precise measurements marked onto the guide. Then you can easily line up the end of the stic...
When using the router, make sure that you have installed an appropriate rounded-curve bit. The bit spins in a counter-clockwise direction, which means...
Spread Wood Glue with your fingers on each end of the end-piece. Now, before you spread, make sure you clamp at the base of the forks to prevent brea...
I've used Maple for the backside, and Spruce for the front side, but you can experiment with different woods. The Hard Wood of the maple on the back,...
When cutting on the bandsaw, I like to cut just outside the line. Depending on how confident you are in making a precise cut, feel free to leave plen...
Run a thin bead of glue along the edges, and wait a few minutes to allow the air to make the glue slightly "tacky." I like to spread the glue uniform...
This step is optional, you can always trim both sides when both front and back sides are glued together. This just helps if you want to see the sides...
Again, I like using Spruce wood for the softer (warmer) sound, but you can also go for something with more grain or "finger" to make a decorative ins...
Same as Before, cut outside the markings.
I've approximated the sound hole here, although it must be absolutely centered. Note that the hole is closer towards the neck, rather than the end. T...
Again, wipe up any excess glue spillage, and clamp in enough places to ensure that the glue squeezes out, confirming a tight fit. Let the glue set o...
You can trim the edges using either the bandsaw, or a finishing sander.
Sand all edges! I recommend using a hand sander, starting with a coarser grit, such as 80 grit. Gradually, switch to a finer grit such as 120 grit, a...
Use #764 (thinnest) fret wire for the frets just below the three tuner holes. This just prevents the steel guitar strings to cut into the wood. Use #...
The picture shows the frets being sanded with a belt sander. Now I find that I wouldn't recommend this. Instead, use a file, and only file in the dow...
Sometimes the filing or the sanding of the fret wire loosens them. If need be, run a bead of super-glue in the loose fret groove, and re-tap the wire...
Measure and drill a pilot hole 3/16ths of an inch in from each side, just after the tuner hole. Tap in a brass brad nail. These are to keep the steel...
Instead of measuring the center of the end piece, and hammering in a nail,... place a straight stick to align where the true center hole belongs, and ...
Use your favorite Stain. I like to use Boiled Linseed Oil. With a cloth rag, Make sure all areas of the wood soak up the stain, making a beautiful ...
Make sure the gears of the tuners point toward the body of the guitar. Use a small phillips to screw in the tiny screws. It helps to also drill out ...
Refer to the 4th and 5th video, embedded in this instructable. (step 32.)
Again, refer to the video. I like to tune the upper and lower strings to the key of G, one octave apart, but your tunings can vary.
I'll include a music lesson instructable soon. Stay Tuned! Suggested Riffs: "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" "You are my Sunshine" "The Lion Sleeps ...
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Here are the Strings we use. The GHS Dulcimer strings come in a 4 string set. Since we use three, you'll have an extra one left over in case a string ...
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