Bongos!

Real Bongos with LEDs that react to sound!

This model is a set of bongo drums that is printed in pieces and assembled.  It results in a tangible, functional, and great sounding bongo drum that can light up to the sound of the music!

 

Here, have a listen:

 

Per classic bongo design, there are two different drum sizes (the Macho and the Hembra) that are joined together by a center block. The Macho and Hembra each produce a different tone and sound. The drumhead on each is .32mm thick to allow it to have enough flexibility to produce sound when struck. DO NOTE: given the .32mm thickness of the drumhead it is not advised to strike the bongos with extreme force - lighter taps and hits are sufficient to produce sound. 

 

The model is printed fully in PLA! No need to worry about utilizing any kind of unique or harder to print material. It's also printed with the fuzzy skin setting to provide a nice texture that adds a pleasant visual flair!

 

I purchased a LED strip from Amazon that reacts to the sound of music (or drums in this case). You can acquire the same part right here, or find your own that you might prefer. The center block includes space for the LED battery pack.

Printing:

The primary print profile includes all the elements you need for a full bongo set across 6 plates. 

 

Plate 1 - The Macho Drumhead. Prints in up to two colors with the drumhead itself being one and the ring the head rests on being another. Warning: Be sure to let your plate cool sufficiently before trying to remove this element from the print bed - due to the thin nature of the drumhead, it could tear when attempting to be removed if the heat has not cooled enough to relinquish the grip. 

Plate 2 - The Macho Drum Body. One color utilizes supports. 

Plate 3 - The Hembra Drumhead. Prints in up to two colors with the drumhead itself being one and the ring the head rests on being another. Warning: Be sure to let your plate cool sufficiently before trying to remove this element from the print bed - due to the thin nature of the drumhead, it could tear when attempting to be removed if the heat has not cooled enough to relinquish the grip. 

Plate 4 - The Hembra Drum Body. One color utilizes supports. 

Plate 5 - The Center Block primary component (Base). Prints in one color, utilizes supports.

Plate 6 - 3 incidiaul components. The removable lid for the center block, and the two secure rings for the center block. Prints in one color.

 

I also recommend using Bambu Lab Beige PLA for the drumheads to resemble traditional drumhead skin color. Otherwise, utilize any colors for the bodies!

Assembly:

I will provide picture-based instruction for the assembly of the bongo drums!

As seen below, the components include 2 drum bodies, 2 drumheads, 1 center block, and 3 center block attachments. 

Line Up the center block to the rectangular hole in the size of the drum body:

Insert the center block into the drum body - the fit is tight:

Take the center block secure rings and attach them to the inside of the center block, up to the face of the bongo drum's inside:

The fit on the secure ring is tight. In fact, it is recommended to use a small hammer or tool (I utilized the grip of a craftsman screwdriver) to gently tap it and secure it into place.

IF YOU ARE INSTALLING THE LEDS… This is when you can place the LED battery pack into the center block:

Continuing to install LEDs - attach the LED USB to the battery block and begin securing the LEDs via their adhesive to the inside of the drum body:

Repeat the same steps as above to secure the center block to the other drum body - subsequently attaching the secure ring inside and utilizing a tool to secure it firmly into place:

Thread the LED strip through the center block and wrap it around the inside of the second drum body:

To attach the drumheads to the drum bodies, locate the small round bulbs and line them up with the inserts at the top of the drum body. 

These attachments are BPRESSURE FIT. A small amount of force will secure them in place, but should the drumhead ever break, the ring can easily be removed to change it out.

 

And with that, assembly is complete!

 

Please note - the center block, even with the secure rings attached, may have a bit of give or wiggle in the completed product. I wanted to allow enough tolerance so that it would fit sufficiently. Personally, this didn't bother me at all, as it wasn't noticible when playing the bongos with them on a flat surface. However, if this bothers you, I recommend applying some super glue (or your preferred alternative) to the space between the ring and drum body before pulling it tight to adhere. 

 

Please let me know if you have any questions!

 

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

If you like this model, please consider boosting!

Boost MeI would greatly appreciate it!

-------------------------------------------------------------------

 

If you're still here, why not check out one of my other drum models that might be of interest to you? Here is a collection for them!

 

 

Drums! Printable and Playable! | Collection - MakerWorld