Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Living
Outside
Play
Technology
Workshop
Electric Violin
by Toms Workshop on May 3, 2012 Table of Contents Electric Violin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Intro: Electric Violin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 1: Initial drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 2: Neck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 3: Fingerboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 4: Pegs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Step 5: The rest is up to you! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2 4 4 5 5 7 7 8
http://www.instructables.com/id/Electric-Violin-1/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Electric-Violin-1/
Image Notes 1. Silver plated 9mm jump ring 2. Once the pegs are fitted and cut to the correct length the string hole can be located and drilled. It should be closest to the side that the peg enters box.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Electric-Violin-1/
Step 2: Neck
I used computer software to model several parts of the violin. Any 3d imaging software is useful to produce accurate designs. I used Solidworks but there are plenty of free programs out there e.g. Google sketch up, Autodesk 123D, AutoCAD (30 Autodesk programs are available if you are student, http://students.autodesk.com/?nd=download_center ). However, a very simple way of drawing 2D models accurately is using Microsoft Word and adjusting the lengths etc. in the properties section. This is really useful for producing accurate templates for cutting around. This part of the violin is quite tricky to get right. I would recommend finding an old bit of wood to practice on. Harder wood is better as it is easier to carve without large 'chunks' coming off. Softer woods can split easily and this can make the carving process harder. When I did mine I did two practices before starting on the maple. It makes it a lot easier to figure out what order you need to do things in. Here are the basic steps I followed: 1. Cut the side view out using a band saw (easiest option) 2. Drill out holes for the pegs, 5 mm diameter (a bench/pillar dill ensures the holes are aligned) 3. Cut the top view out 4. Chisel out the peg box 5. Using cabinet rasp begin to round the underside of the neck. 6. Using gouges and a rounded file begin to curve the underside of the head (image 2) It is best to leave it fairly rough as there will be a fair amount of fiddling around getting the set-up right before actually attaching the neck. It just means you're less likely to mess up your nice smooth finish!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Electric-Violin-1/
Step 3: Fingerboard
Sorry for the poor image quality. I thought it would come out better than that! All the dimensions you need for this part are on the photo. For this part you need a hardwood otherwise you'll get lots of dents on the surface. The image below includes the nut as well. The curvature of fingerboard is produced using a plane. The best way to test if you have the correct radius is to print of a template and run it across the surface. For the final set-up on the fingerboard use a rule side on (shown in photo 2) and make sure that the surface of the board is slightly concave. This is best achieved using sandpaper as it easier to judge how much wood you're taking off. The final distance between the board surface and the rule should be about 0.5-1.0 mm. This part of the violin is not varnished! it only requires oiling to bring out the colour.
Image Notes 1. Should be a small gap between ruler edge and surface. Between 0.5 and 1mm Image Notes 1. 23 mm 2. 270 mm 3. 43 mm 4. 5 mm 5. 5 mm 6. 42mm radius. Along the whole length
Step 4: Pegs
The first picture below shows the basic dimensions for the pegs. Initially they need to be about 20mm longer than shown. This allows for easier fitting. There are several tools you'll need/make in order to produce your pegs. Reamer (photo 2) This reamer is made from an old pair of scissors. An angle grinder was used to get the correct taper of 8.5 to 5.5mm (ish...) over a distance of 7.5 cm. I have to thank TimAnderson for his instructable on making this and the peg shaver (http://www.instructables.com/member/TimAnderson/ ) This can then be used to make the peg shaver and getting the correct taper on the peg holes in the violin head. Peg shaver (http://www.instructables.com/id/Cookie-Tin-Banjo-Part-2-Make-a-Tuning-Peg-Shaver/ ) This tool can only be made once the reamer has been made. To make, simply drill a 5 mm hole in a piece of hardwood. Then, using your reamer, taper the hole. It is a good idea to mark on the reamer where the 8mm width ends. This insures that you only taper the hole that far. The next step is best achieved using a band-saw or mill but a 'bog standard' hand saw works too! You need to cut horizontally just above the hole. Then using a plane or a sander take the surface down until the full length of the hole is visible. Finally, clamp a plane blade above the hole to create a sharpener/shaver. Full photos on the link above. Lathe Simple pegs can be produced without a lathe, but I found that they were never quite true and were very difficult to get the detail I wanted. I found that a lathe was the easiest way to produce the shape of the peg in the image below. The head is done completely by eye but if you have a cutting jig available to you, the diameters below can be accurately achieved. I used files and sandpaper to get the flats on either side of the peg head. I haven't really got any dimensions for this bit. It's really down to what you think looks good and feels right. After all it's your violin, it should be how you want it! The final stage is to put the peg through the peg shaver to get the correct taper. They are now ready to be fitted to the violin! If pegs seem like too much effort don't fear! Photo number 4 shows a ukulele machine head. These are the perfect size for a violin and allow quick and easy tuning. The only possible adjustment needed would be a hole half way down the peg, (shown in the photo). REMEMBER: if you are drilling your own hole you will need to chamfer the edges with a larger drill bit otherwise your strings may snap.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Electric-Violin-1/
Image Notes 1. Hole would be needed round here for the string.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Electric-Violin-1/
2. Once the pegs are fitted and cut to the correct length the string hole can be located and drilled. It should be closest to the side that the peg enters box.
Related Instructables
http://www.instructables.com/id/Electric-Violin-1/
Comments
2 comments
Add Comment
May 5, 2012. 5:20 PM REPLY
rrkrose says:
Amazing! You have my vote! :)
rimar2000 says:
Beautiful violin, excellent work! I'd like to hear how it sounds. If you decide to add an MP3, please PM me.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Electric-Violin-1/