I got a small Bluetooth speaker for my b-day.  It came in a clear hard plastic box.  I think it has possibilities for a build.

1.)  I would need to drill and saw on it to fit parts, and use screws.  I speculate that cracking and breakage might be a risk.  How can I do the work on it and minimize the risk of crack and breaks to the plastic "body"?

2.)  It's about 5 1/2 inches tall, 4 inches wide and 2 1/2 inches deep.  I think.  (It's at home and I'm at work.)  A uke?  A two or three-string git?  A "strum stick"-type thing? 

3.)  I'm thinking something with nylon strings might work best.  Or...are there any other possibilities?

Thanks!

Views: 345

Replies to This Discussion

These drills   http://www.aircraftspruce.com/pages/to/drill_1drillbits/plexidrill.php   aren't cheap and with a little work you can grind your own, but  they help drilling plastic without breakage.  The other thing that helps is always back up the area you are drilling with a block of hard wood to keep the drill from digging in as it breaks out the back side.  Take your time and work slowly and it shouldn't be a problem.  I drilled holes in lots of expensive plastic windshields and such in my old life as an aircraft mechanic before I retired, go slow and don't use a lot of pressure and it works fine.  Too high speed on the drills will melt the plastic and cause problems, but backing up the material with the wood block is the best help I can offer.  Same thing goes for using a saw or file.  Support the area you are working on and go slow with light pressure and you shouldn't have any problems.

Sounds like a cool build.  Small boxes can have great sound.  Post some pictures as you build it.

Thanks Duck!  That really helps!

Now I just need to figure out just what I want to build!  :)

i used a plastic  kleen-X  box cover  for my  "keeper of the crystal skulls  "  diddly bow . due to its high " crackability " , to make the hole for the pole neck,  i   heated  up a hole cutter  on the stove  .  and then  grabbed it with vice grips and basically   pushed  and twisted  it through  easy as  pie  . Don't be slow about it tho,  or it will wanna weld  to the plastic ..   keep  it  moving  get it in and get out  . 

You could always just use a small drill to get the hole started and hog it out with a dremel or round file Mr Pick.  all it takes is patience and a  steady hand. :)>

yup , i recon . ;-)

Dang, AP!  That Crystal Skull diddley bow is flippin' WILD!  I took a closer look:  It looks like there are three homemade single-coil pickups on there, with three different buttons.  Gosh, I don't have the patience or dexterity to make my own pickups!

Where did you find the clear acrylic dowel/rod/neck?  That ramps up the cool factor BIG!

And...I'd love to hear a sound file or watch a vid of you playing that.

I'm having trouble deciding if I want to make a uke or a diddley bow out of the acrylic speaker box.  We'll see.

you  give  me too much credit on this one  andy  .  it  is a pretty old build  . and  although  i  have done multi pickup/ switches  guits   in the past   . this one  is more " decor"   keeping in theme  with the cryatals .  the  "pickups" are just  quartz points with  speaker wire wrapped  around them to resemble  crude  pickups  . the   buttons  are off a phone to  enhance the  belieavability  of the  fake  pickups   ;-)  the  "volume button"  is a  smelted quartz diamond . the  bridge  base  is real jade  ,  the real  pickup is a bar piezo   tucked  between the  bar and  body  . 

i couldnt find a sturdy  acrylic  neck / bar  . so  i  looked  on ebay  and found that one , its actually  off a high end towel rack  ;-)

this guit sounded  ok  . but never did get a  good recoreding  worth reposting  .  hope that  helps  ;-)  

  

Well, then, I give you credit for playfulness and creativity!  Still a very cool build.

I was wondering if a towel rack bar or something similar is what you used.

Peace!

  Since you're using screws, I recommend using plastic or nylon flat washers to minimize breakage-If you  can find a glue that works i'd recommend gluing those washers to the hole as well.

 While i'm on the subject of glue-if you find one that glues/welds plastic to plastic that would open the door to using bracing to critical areas as if you were working with wood...

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Discussion Forum

Cutting deep boxes in half

Started by Justin Stanchfield. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 20. 9 Replies

Attention 1st time builders!

Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 27. 2 Replies

Brickhouse CBG Wiring

Started by Ian Boyd. Last reply by Ian Boyd Dec 11, 2023. 1 Reply

Fretless fret markers

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers Apr 20, 2023. 8 Replies

canjo building and tuning

Started by Brenda. Last reply by MadGomer Dec 3, 2022. 5 Replies

Minimum tools needed

Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 14, 2022. 21 Replies

High G problem

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 3, 2022. 4 Replies

Doubling the high string

Started by Robert Killen. Last reply by Paul Craig Oct 14, 2022. 23 Replies

Aluminum License Plate

Started by Larry Sobol. Last reply by Larry Sobol Oct 1, 2022. 6 Replies

C. B. Gifty three string fretless kits.

Started by jon neet. Last reply by Taffy Evans Aug 16, 2022. 6 Replies

Frettin' and stainin'

Started by Doug Laffin. Last reply by Order99 Aug 11, 2022. 4 Replies

Bolt on neck to a set neck body?

Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Jul 17, 2022. 14 Replies

Locations

Started by Roy Smith. Last reply by the anonymous pick May 15, 2022. 2 Replies

Help please re Bento Box Uke "nut"

Started by Al Lobe. Last reply by BrianQ. May 10, 2022. 18 Replies

Clarification on pick ups

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans May 6, 2022. 5 Replies

Licence plate cbg

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers May 2, 2022. 5 Replies

Builder's Tips

Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 23, 2022. 2 Replies

Getting there but needing advice/help please.

Started by Lionhound. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 18, 2022. 8 Replies

Tres Cubano Build

Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Dec 9, 2021. 18 Replies

CB Gitty Country Roads Banjo kit

Started by Ken Hope. Last reply by Christopher G Daniels Nov 29, 2021. 4 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
Thumbnail

A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna

"i See Your ready to Blow away the GRAND STADIUM ! tree strings more of DAR DELIGHT !! Shine Girl !…"
3 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Thank you for the kind comments Doug! Glad you liked the Picture !"
3 hours ago
BrianQ. commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
7 hours ago
BrianQ. liked Dar Stellabotta's video
7 hours ago
Southern Ray commented on Southern Ray's photo
Thumbnail

Project Punch!

" Thank ya again Keith!"
10 hours ago
Southern Ray commented on Southern Ray's photo
Thumbnail

Punch Project!

" Thank Ya Keith!"
10 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP #527 - ''Led-Zep 2''

"This build really strung you along Alan! Reminded me of all my fishing line experiments; a lot of…"
11 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Diggin’ the slow blues. I like that last pic Andries! Look at all those cool guitars. Yeah!!!"
11 hours ago
Dar Stellabotta posted a video

A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna

This video is the unboxing and the demonstration of a beautiful, six stringer built by Louie Lamanna. Join Louie and I June 15 at the second annual Pittsburg...
13 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter to you too Andries! The passion is definitely in full swing. Turns out I’m…"
13 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter Doug ! the Passion is in full swing !"
14 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Ricky D's photo
14 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->