After our success with the Skill Share class we held, we started thinking about the next project. One idea we came up with is a Cigar Box Guitar. We figured it would be something that could be put together without a lot of hand tools, was pretty inexpensive, and would be a good “Austin vibe” project.

So, a couple of weeks ago I picked up some Red Oak from Home Depot so that I could start the project. Unfortunately, hardware (screws, bolts, etc) is MUCH more expensive at the big box home stores. A pack of 25 1/4-20 nuts is a couple of bucks at Home Depot — I could get a box of 100 for the same price at Grainger! So I placed an order for some of the hardware (eye bolts, nuts, washers).

If you are building projects I highly recommend that you get used to buying quantites from places like Grainger and McMaster-Carr. You’ll save a LOT of money in the long run. McMaster is very good, but I also like Grainger because they have retail locations where you can pick up your parts (on “will call”). We have a Grainger about 5 minutes away from us, and they offer free shipping for order over $50.

After my 10 pound box of eyebolts and washers and nuts arrived, I was able to start on the guitar. Here’s a shot of the head of the guitar, where the tuning is done:

There are six holes up there. Three for the eyebolts, washers, and wing nuts. Three more for where the strings are threaded. There is a small piece of 1/4″ square stock super glued to the neck of the guitar. This is called the “nut” and the strings will rest on it.

Here is a view from the underside, where you can see the eyebolts. The strings will be attached to them and the whole assembly twisted and tightened to tune.

So, you have eyebolt, nut, washer, then wood, then washer and wingnut. Make sure to use STRONG wood for the neck! Red oak is good. This piece is 36″ long.

Toward the bottom you have the bridge. There are six holes down here. Three are where the strings are threaded through, the other three will hold screws or bolts for fastening the ends of the strings. These are fixed points.

This is also the location of the bridge of the guitar, which is a piece of 1/2″ sqaure stock super glued to the neck.

I’ll be using #18 mason’s twine for the bass string, and #15 for the other two strings. (This will be a three string guitar.)

Next up: Finding a good cigar box that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. For some reason, people are selling these boxes for stupid prices ($8-$10). You should be able to get one for about a buck or so. Evelyn is going to check out our local tobacconist and see if they are willing to part with some. I need one for this project, but probably 20 or so if we do this as a class project.