 3D-Printed Autoharp Parts |
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| 3D-Printed Autoharp PartsAn autoharp is a wooden box with a lot of "user-serviceable" metal and plastic parts. As a result, most autoharpers eventually learn how to repair and/or modify their own instruments.Some autoharpers who have 3d printers or friends with 3d printers have created files for replacing parts that frequently break or break off. At the moment, there aren't very many, and quality is not always as good as the original part. But I wanted to give fellow 'harpers a chance to use what they can now and to see what is on the horizon. I certainly expect to see this list grow longer and better as time goes on. In the meantime, you should probably consider at least some of the files we're listing today as "trial balloons" or such. I'm sure more development is happening as I type this. In the meantime, you should realize that 3d printing technology is advancing rapidly, plus more and better materials for the printer are constantly being developed. So we don't recommend anything about materials or printers. What we do list are files you can download and experiment with yourself. Please let us know if you've seen or developed a new product or an improvement on one of those listed below Chord Bar Comb for 21-Chorders 21-Chord Oscar Schmidt autoharps use a "comb" to hold the ends of the chord bars. They are made of Delrin or some other relatively strong nylon-like material, but they can shatter when the instrument is dropped. This often happens in shipment, when the autoharp hasn't been packed properly. The box shows no sign of damage, but when you open up the case, there are springs and chord bars everywhere. Don't ask me how I know. Pete D'Aigle and other autoharp support people often offer direct replacements. But if you have a 3D printer or a friend with a 3D printer, it's may be possible to print a replacement part, thanks to enterprising folks like "noextraterrestrialboi" (also known as "Infamous-Toe2529" on Reddit.com/r/autoharp). Note - Unfortunately, the only version we've seen a safe link to as of this writing has only 19 "teeth," not 21. I'm told that it would be easy to modify, but I haven't had time to mess with it myself. The factory combs have depressions on the underside to accommodate the magnetic pickups offered on some models. If you're not planning on adding a magnetic pickup, you won't miss that feature. 3D printer technology changes rapidly, so recommending one kind of plastic or resin would be self-defeating, but we do recommend using the most durable material available at the time this is actually printed for you. We'll try to add any other sources as they become available. In the meantime, if you've made or come across a 21-chord version of these files please let us know Chord Bar Buttons for 15-Chorders Sometime in the mid-20th century, Oscar Schmidt updated the shape of the buttons on their 12 and 15-chorders (the previous versions looked like the top of golf tees). This shape is also used on the OS-6 EasyChord and the rare OS-10 Sierra. To be honest, some of the 3d-printed versions I see lack the depressed, textured top that is supposed to help you keep your fingers on the button. But the 3d-printed ones listed below do have the depression at least. Here are two versions that people seem to like. Chord Bar Holder for 12-Chorders Like the comb for the 21-chord autoharps, the chord bar holder for 12- and 15-chord autoharps is frequently damaged in shipment. Usually the screw hole on one end gives out, spilling chord bars and springs in every direction. Again, you can often purchase replacements from some autoharp vendors. And no one has published a 15-chord version of this yet. But a 12-chord version, designed by "Mcdanli" is available. (Yes, I'm told this would be easy to modify, but I have too many other projects backed up.) We'll try to add any other sources as they become available. In the meantime, if you've made or come across a 6-, 10-, or 15-chord version of these files please let us know ConclusionAs of this writing, development of 3d-printed autoharp parts is lagging behind several other hobbies I participate in. But I have readers who can use at least some of the files we link to on this page today, and I'm hoping to see further developments soon.If you can help by designing a 21-tooth comb for 21-chorders, or a 6-, 10-, or 15- slot chord bar holder for 6-, 10, and 15-chord autoharps, we'd greatly appreciate that as well. Or if you can improve on any of the designs we have shared, please let us know. Your fellow 'harpers will appreciate it - especially those on tight budgets or hard-to-reach places. Whatever kind(s) of autoharps you own/play, whatever your level of talent or style of play, I hope you have a chance to enjoy your music and enjoy your family in the coming weeks! Other Articles and ResourcesCurrent autoharp repair resources we offer include:
Third-Party Resources:
In addition, our articles on tweaking and reconfiguring autoharps also offer some tips that may help you get through repairs regarding chord bars, springs, etc. As I have time, I'll write more specifically about these problems and others you may encounter. In the meantime, I hope our available articles help answer your questions about these under-rated instruments.
And please stay in touch! - Paul Race
All material, illustrations, and content of this web site is copyrighted ? 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006,
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