Official Luthiers Forum!

Owned and operated by Lance Kragenbrink
It is currently Fri Aug 08, 2025 11:52 pm


All times are UTC - 5 hours


Forum rules


Be nice, no cussin and enjoy!




Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 
Author Message
PostPosted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 1:13 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:34 pm
Posts: 552
City: winnipeg
State: manitoba
Country: canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
I like to build cases for the ukuleles that I build but am aware that there is a flaw in my newest idea. My concept is to form a case around the instrument or a mold made of several layers of aluminum foil joined by epoxy glue. It would be much like building the case of papier-mache'. I realize that the hinge-points and handles require reinforcment but I am not sure whether the whole case needs some kind of stiffening and what would work.

I feel like I am on the edge of a good idea but it needs work. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Bob :ugeek:


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 1:39 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:42 am
Posts: 1135
Location: Hudson, MA
First name: Kevin
Last Name: Quine
City: Hudson
State: MA
Country: Usa
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Foil and epoxy?? I guess it would work but sounds really messy.
Reinforcing only depends on how strong you want it. Cases range from padded fabrics up to steel. How strong are you looking for?


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 1:44 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa
User avatar

Joined: Wed Sep 26, 2007 12:55 am
Posts: 1505
Location: Lorette, Manitoba, Canada
First name: Douglas
Last Name: Ingram
City: Lorette
State: Manitoba
Country: Canada
Focus: Build
Bob, if you really want to pursue that approach, I'd suggest wrapping the the uke with lots of plastic wrap, the use expanding spray foam to get the shape. Once set, cut it apart, then shape and glass the foam.

_________________
Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 2:01 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:34 pm
Posts: 552
City: winnipeg
State: manitoba
Country: canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Douglas:
I have the feeling that the wall has to be deeper than foil to give some rigidity and puncture resistance. If I can solve this problem, building a case would be a one or two hour job with no jigs or equipment required.

Bob :ugeek:


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 2:25 pm 
Offline
Contributing Member
Contributing Member

Joined: Mon Jul 11, 2011 12:43 am
Posts: 1326
Location: chicagoland, illinois
City: chicagoland
State: illinois
Country: usa
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3mYgzY5UAI


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 6:42 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:20 am
Posts: 5968
For a ukulele I think bending a piece of wacky wood, using 1/8th inch plywood for the front and back, and a single layer of fiberglas would be quicker and easier than foil and epoxy.


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 7:29 pm 
Offline
Cocobolo
Cocobolo

Joined: Sun Jun 21, 2009 6:14 pm
Posts: 439
First name: Mike
Last Name: Imbler
City: Wichita
State: KS
Zip/Postal Code: 67204
Country: usa
Focus: Build
Bob, Douglas's suggestion would give you a very strong case. Build the shape from expanding foam, file/rasp for smoothness, than fiberglass both sides of the foam. It will be extremely strong and light. Kit airplanes are built using this method,
Mike


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Sun Dec 23, 2012 9:41 pm 
Offline
Koa
Koa

Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:34 pm
Posts: 552
City: winnipeg
State: manitoba
Country: canada
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
Clay:
I have built a few cases of veneered fiberboard. They look pretty good but they are a bit heavy. They take me a day or two to build but are solid protection. I use urethane parkay-floor glue as kerfing , like a fillet weld, and it works well.

Mike:
I am stii trying to get my head around the process of Douglas's approach. When do I cut the foam to remove the ukulele? Will the foam itself have enough strength to be fibeglassed without flaking apart. I am still thinking about it.

Bob


Top
 Profile  
 
PostPosted: Mon Dec 24, 2012 6:36 pm 
Offline
Brazilian Rosewood
Brazilian Rosewood

Joined: Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:20 am
Posts: 5968
Hi Bob,
If you are looking for light weight you might try using 3/8 inch thick white pine for the sides and 1/8 inch plywood for the top and bottom. I have built some "coffin" cases for guitars using 1/2inch thick pine for the sides and 1/8 inch plywood for the top/bottom and they are relatively light weight and reasonably strong. For a uke a simple trapezoid shape would work fine. A tiny romantic guitar I have came in a trapezoid shaped case.
For the guitar cases I used butt joints, titebond and a brad gun to nail them together while the glue set. They went together pretty quickly. I made the case and lid in one piece then cut them apart on the tablesaw.
The foil and epoxy sounds like an interesting approach. I wonder if you could make your case from corregated cardboard then laminate the foil and epoxy to it to add strength and waterproofing?


Top
 Profile  
 
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 9 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 5 hours


Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 37 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot post attachments in this forum

Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
phpBB customization services by 2by2host.com