Anyone Made a Ukulele ??

[Stone Message]

Hi Everyone

My guitar playing days are over (some would say that they never started) as my hands and fingers are not so slick these days. However, I thought that I might manage a Tenor Ukulele. In order to make it easier to play I would make one myself and increase the string spacing a dash in order to give the stumpy fingers a better chance.

So...

Has anyone made a Ukulele? If so I want loads of details please.

I can make a bunch of jigs using my small CNC but I do not have a bending iron - can one of these be made or do I have to go bankrupt buying one?

I will probably make more than one Ukulele and the first will be as simple as they come (but not a biscuit tin !). I hope to move on to purfling and other fancy stuff so which of the Festool edging routers and which cutters should I get?

I am in the UK so can anyone local to this corner of Europe direct me to a good online luthier supply shop.

If you have done any of this work then a few pictures would be much appreciated.

Many thanks.

Peter

 

[GarryMartin]

Sounds fun!

I've no experience whatsoever, but Crimson Guitars are an awesome resource for YouTube tips and techniques and for luthier supplies; it's where my super glue and masking tape trick came from (instead of double-sided tape).
https://crimsonguitars.com/


WARNING: You may lose hours of your life watching his videos on YouTube. Then again, it's about time the roles were reversed!

 

[Stone Message]

Hi Garry

Thank you very much for this.

Believe it or not I do watch the odd video - there are some really clever people out there. I was invited to Google HQ in London before Christmas and I met some amazing YouTubers. Some had over 1m subscribers and employ camera and sound people as well as editors.

Cheers.

Peter

 

[squawkin]

Hi Peter, Stewmac has kits. I have not tried one but they look good.

 

[Ujipster]

Hi Peter,
The only site I came across In the UK washttp://www.luthierssupplies.co.uk. Seems to have a lot of tools as well as parts. Disclaimer that I have never used them. Since I am in the states I use stewmac or blues creek luthier both on east coast. I am not sure about the sides of a uke, but I have used a hair curling iron to bend the bindings. As expected use a spray mister when heating wood so it doesn't dry: not too wet not too dry. The real deal on the sites is about 180gbp. I have seen some people make their own on you tube.
I am merely a spectator in the art so I am sure others more experienced could help more. Feel free to PM me with any specific questions.
Todd

 

[JBag09]

Hi Peter,
  I can probably answer some of your questions. I have been working in an acoustic guitar factory for almost 24 years, and we do make some ukuleles. As far as the bending press, I am sure you would be able to build one. When I first started, they had/have a basic iron with a radius, I'd say around 38mm in diameter. And it was electric, probably worked just like a household iron. I know they soak the sides in hot water for a bit before bending them in a cafeteria style coffee pot.
  If you have any specific questions feel free to ask. I can go find out details for you.

 

[Stone Message]

There are some great responses above - thanks guys and keep it coming.

Cheers.

Peter

 

[Kev]

Seen these?
https://circuitsandstrings.wordpress.com/free-plans/
http://forum.ukuleleunderground.com
https://www.harpkit.com/mm5/pdf/Instructions/Dakukekit-C.pdf
https://www.harpkit.com/mm5/
https://woodgears.ca/ukulele/plans.html

 

[bruegf]

http://www.stewmac.com/ is another excellent source of supplies.

Fred

 

[fritter63]

Hey peter, my friend and long time mentor makes ukes as well. Might be some good tips on his site:
Http://www.dunwellguitars.com

As for jigging, you can certainly make them yourself and the cnc will make it easy. Check out what's at lmii.com and you want to make a Fox Bender.

Also, if you dig through my blog you can find lots of construction details and they can apply to ukes too.

Ahsbandguitar.blogspot.com

Feel free to pm/email me with questions.

 

[fritter63]

IIRC , Cathy has made a uke:
http://www.theamateurluthier.com/

 

[Stone Message]

Hey peter, my friend and long time mentor makes ukes as well. Might be some good tips on his site:
Http://www.dunwellguitars.com

As for jigging, you can certainly make them yourself and the cnc will make it easy. Check out what's at lmii.com and you want to make a Fox Bender.

Also, if you dig through my blog you can find lots of construction details and they can apply to ukes too.

Ahsbandguitar.blogspot.com

Feel free to pm/email me with questions.

Excellent. Many thanks.

Peter

 

[Stone Message]

IIRC , Cathy has made a uke:
http://www.theamateurluthier.com/

Every little bit helps. Cheers.

Peter