Plastic Cigar box Uke.

GrumpyOldMan

GrumpyOldMan

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Hi All,
I have a spare soprano neck and I want to make a Cigar Box Uke but I'm not having much success in finding a suitable box. I'm also hankering after a plastic Uke so I thought I could maybe combine the two and build a Uke from a plastic box.

I've found this one on ebay and wondered if it was suitable:http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360176835565&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT
It's an ABS box which I think is a softish plastic. Would I be better with a Polycarbonate box, which I think is a hard plastic?

Is this a crazy idea?

Cheers,
Ian.
 
I think a harder plastic would be preferable, since the Islanders and TV Pals are pretty hard. You also want a thin plastic. It's difficult to know if that box is thin enough.

Keep us posted on the project. It's an intriguing idea!
 
UKISOCIETY said:
I think a harder plastic would be preferable, since the Islanders and TV Pals are pretty hard. You also want a thin plastic. It's difficult to know if that box is thin enough.

Keep us posted on the project. It's an intriguing idea!
Click to expand...

Most plastic boxes I have looked at seem to have a thickness of 3mm, which is quite thick for a Uke. Having said that most cigar boxes are also much thicker than a Uke should really be. Finding boxes big enough is the biggest problem. I'll keep looking and of course I will keep posting if I do go ahead.

Ian.
 
Go check out a Chinese grocery. You will find food packaged in all sorts of boxes and tins. I saw a wooden box of Korean Ginseng tea that looked like it would make a great cigar box uke it was about $8 for the box (and the tea.)
 
hoosierhiver said:
Go check out a Chinese grocery. You will find food packaged in all sorts of boxes and tins. I saw a wooden box of Korean Ginseng tea that looked like it would make a great cigar box uke it was about $8 for the box (and the tea.)
Click to expand...
Chinese grocery stores are thin on the ground in Lancashire! There's a Chinatown in Manchester though and I get there often enough so I will indeed take a look. Good idea, thanks.

Ian.
 
Slick said:
How about a metal box?
Click to expand...

Aaah, yes. I had thought about an Aluminium project box but I really like the look of that Dickies box. I guess it would need strengthening where the neck was attatched.
Actually, now I think of it we have a couple of old biscuit (cookie) tins around somewhere.

Ha, just found this one in the UK. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SPONGEBOB-PAT...ptZUK_Kitchen_Accessories?hash=item4399d8b44f Very appropriate and a variation on a theme.
I love this lunch box idea!!
 
Hey Grumpy, Have a word with this bloke. He makes various instruments, including biscuit tin ukes. He knows where it's at, and he's very approachable. He's in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire.

http://www.tinguitar.com

Ukantor
 
ukantor said:
Hey Grumpy, Have a word with this bloke. He makes various instruments, including biscuit tin ukes. He knows where it's at, and he's very approachable. He's in Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire.

http://www.tinguitar.com

Ukantor
Click to expand...

Great stuff. One of the tins he has in his stock is exactly like one of the ones we have at home.
Are you sure he's approachable. He's a Yorkshireman and I'm a Lancastrian, we have a history you know.
I'm off to Asda tomorrow, they have tins of quality street for a fiver so might as well start with one of those.
I can't believe I never thought of this before.

Cheers,
Ian.
 
"He's a Yorkshireman and I'm a Lancastrian, we have a history you know."

Hi Ian, Just don't mention cricket - you'll be OK. I'm a Cheshire lad myself, and Rob tolerates me well.

Seriously, he's a top fella.

John Colter (Ukantor)
 
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