String-Can project: design inspiration and research

One-string Cigar Box Violin by W. J. Sutherland – 1948 Science & Mechanics Magazine

 
Cigar Box Ukulele by Shelley Rickey

 
I’ve been researching design ideas and building tips, trying hard to avoid Google rabbit holes.  Here’s a few that I’ve found.

CIGAR BOX NATION
This community is very active and the site has great information. I’m keen to adapt some of the structural ideas found here.

I like the plans archive and I particularly like this 1948 one-string fiddle and Shelley Rickey’s design uses cable-ties for frets

FRETS
I’m nowhere near ready to instal frets but in preparation I’ve bought a fine-tooth saw. Apparently you can get by using a hacksaw, or you can pay a lot for the proper job from a luthier supply. I opted for the middle ground with the IRWIN MINI DOVETAIL PULL SAW. It has a flexible blade so will need a brace added to it – more when we get to that stage.

TUNING MECHANISMS
The easiest is to use bought machine heads, but in case you want to make your own here are some good ideas. I found these all over the place but did not keep track of their source pages so this is a collage of images.
BLOG COMMENTS
I really want to hear from you! but…
I’m having trouble with the comments box. When you click to comment the box appears black and so does the text so it’s invisible. I’m working to sort this out. In the meantime perhaps write your comment in a temporary note or doc and paste it into the reply box. Once posted they seem to appear OK.

Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year, 

​Graeme

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