Carboard Ukulele Stand

This Instructable will show you how to make a Cardboard Ukulele Stand in order to show off your Ukulele.  It can be used with pretty much any Ukulele with a standard body shape, but was originally designed to go with a Cardboard Ukulele.  This project is really quick... not including glue drying time, it should only take about 20 minutes.

Step 1: Supplies...

Supplies:
Corrugated Cardboard
Glue (I don't recommend super glue, but wood glue, paper glue, epoxy will all work)

Tools:
Sharp blade

Step 2: Measure Uke....

Measure the depth of the body of the ukulele that you are making the stand for.  Multiply this number by 1.5.  This will be the width of the notch in the stand.  In the figure below, I am measuring the depth of my uke to be 2 3/8 inches.  The notch in my stand should be 3 9/16 inches.

Step 3: Template....

Attached is a word document that has the template for the stand pieces.  I will attach a PDF of this template when I have a chance to convert it at work. 



*** Update 2/18/13 - Apparently, instructables doesn't like *.doc files anymore!  I've attached the template with a TXT file extension.  Download it as a TXT and change the file extension to .DOC before trying to open.  Now that I know this is a problem I will really try to convert the file to a PDF.  Sorry for the inconvenience!  ***



Scale the template so that the width of the notch measures the number you calculated in the previous step.  For me, that was 3 9/16 inches. 



Print out the template and reinforce it with some thin cardboard.  Cut out the template using a sharp blade.

Step 4: Trace and Cutout...

Trace the template onto your corrugated cardboard.   You'll need a total of 6 pieces.  I like to mix up the orientations to make sure that is has strength in all directions.

Cutout all of the pieces using a sharp blade.

Step 5: Measure Thickness...

Stack 3 of the pieces and measure the thickness of the stack.  In the picture, the thickness of my stack of cardboard is 5/16 inch.

Step 6: Measure Slot...

On the template, there is a line marked "Cut Centerline".  Transfer this line to each of your pieces.  This is the centerline of the slot that you will cut.  After drawing the line, measure half the thickness that you determined in the previous step on either side of the line, so that you will wind up with a slot the same thickness as you stack of cardboard.

Step 7: Cut Slots...

Three of your pieces will have a slot that goes from the top of the stand halfway down and the other three will have slot that goes from the bottom of the stand halfway up.  I've marked the midpoint of the centerline on the template you can use to scale. 

Cut the slots with a sharp blade.

Step 8: Test Fit...

Test fit the pieces together.  If they don't fit, trim the slots as needed until they do.

Step 9: Glue...

Glue the pieces together so that you wind up with two stacks of three pieces.

Weigh down your stacks with a heavy book.

Step 10: Assemble Stand

Once the glue has set, assemble the stand.  And you are done. 

Step 11: Display Your Ukulele!

Comments

[charlol]

can i do the measurements in centimeters? please answer!

[eplunkett]

Sorry, I was having trouble logging on from my phone. Did you get the answer you needed. I would say "yes" assuming that you measure in cm and your computer is set up in cm, it should all work out!

[Dankenstein]

I downloaded the pdf of the entire lesson which included the older .doc link and it still worked. You can get the .doc that way.

[ukulelesreview]

I have a review site of ukulele and ukulele accessories. But I'm really inspired to read the article and I'll write a new article for my site about CARBOARD UKULELE STAND. Thanks a lot.

[eplunkett]

Thank you!

[KarolinJ1]

Hi! Have you had the opportunity to convert it to PDF yet? Would be much appreciated :)

[daniel.th.kwok]

When downloading the template in .txt format, when asked where and how it is saved, quickly change the file name at this point and add .doc at the end.

[ValerieV4]

could you post the template for this stand please..

[NancyW30]

This is great, but I cannot get the template. Any chance you could post the pdf??

Thanks!

[AlexF17]

Doae this design work for all kinds of ukes?

[eplunkett]

It should work for most ukes that have this body style. I have a flying V style uke and it does not fit in this stand very well. You'll need to scale the template for your specific ukulele dimensions, but I give some instructions on how to do that.

[AlexF17]

Ok, thanks!

[javieraaybarb]

Does this design work for guitars if you make it in a larger scale?

[TN_FIXIT]

Yes, it can work for a guitar with some modification. The main thing I would worry about is that a guitar weighs a lot more than a ukelele and has a considerably higher center of gravity. Therefore, you will want your stand to be a lot larger and a lot heavier.

[karateed]

Hi,

It seems the link is not working to the word.doc.....is it possible to look into that?

Thanks,

[eplunkett]

I've got a temporary fix for the template link... I think instructables suddenly stopped supporting .doc files. I've got instructions posted for the work around.

Sorry!

[karateed]

Hi Eplunket,

That would be awesome. btw, I'm building your cardboard uke at the moment. I did the template thing a bit different. I glued a bunch of rectangular cardboard together then traced the body B template and used the band saw to cut of the outside bits and a scroll saw to cut off the middle bits. I've made it a bit too wide but don't think it will be a problem. The little over 2", is that with the back on or off?

Thanks for your replies....

Ed......:-)

[Penny]

Template link does not appear to work - I get a 'forbidden by administrator' message when I try to view or download.

[wishes]

The simplicity and brilliance of design are amazingly awesome. Design can be scaled up for larger ukes nicely (though it needs an A3 sized template).
This design should also work well with wood, and can be adapted to be fairly ornate if you were keen also :)

[thomasthetankengine]

Holy awesome! Me and my aunts boyfriend are working on the actual cardboard uke, but this will have to be our next project! Btw, I have the same uke as you (Lanikai Soprano right?)! Thanks for sharing this looks awesome.