Feel the rhythm with the Billy Bongo!
A fully 3d printed bongo.
Yes, it sounds exactly as you could imagine, but hitting it towards the edge gives a nice vibrating sound and my 8-months son (aka the beta-tester) loves it.
Made to fit on my A1 mini.
Does not requires AMS nor Supports.
!!! v2 Update !!! : Better Screws
The v1 version of the Billy Bongo had terrrible screws. If you printed it you may have seen them slipping out of place releasing the tension on the batter.
The v2 screws solve the problem. They are printed at an angle and ensure both strenght and precise thread.
I have them on my bongo for over 3 weeks now and it hadn't lost any tension.
They are retro compatible with the v1, a separate screw set file has been uploaded.
Notes:
- It is made in PLA with a TPU batter head. In case you do not have TPU you can print the batter head plate in PLA to be used as a guide to cut some flexible plastic sheet or cling film.
- Screws need to be made horizontally (as they are in plate 3) to be strong enough for the tensions (in my previous iteration they snapped easily), they are flat on one edge and dont look great but they do the job and hold quite well the tension.
- I used carpenter tape on my build plate for the main body to avoid any issue and went fine on first trial, I suggest doing the same if you are worried of bed adhesion, otherwise add a brim to the main body. All other plates were made on a smooth PEI.
Building instructions:
- Sandwich the TPU batter head into the 2 ring pieces, these are flat on one side and have a 10 degree angle on the other, keep the flat side in contact with the batter head. The final joint ring should be bent inward of 10 degree to allineate with the screw holders on the body.
- Fix the screws with the bolts, alternating long and short ones, keep the long screws loose to be able to screw them into the holders in the body.
- Align and screw the long ones into the holders on the body sides.
- Go in a circular or cross pattern, little by little, trying to keep the tension equal on all sides, test the bongo from time to time.
- Find a nice spot into a park and start annoying everybody else with your rhythm!
Future updates:
I plan to design a thinner version and a joint piece to have the pair of bongoes, i am planning the joint to be able to screw in place on one of the small screws so adding the second bongo will be compatible with the current one. Stay tuned!
My son has been hitting on it frequently over the last 2 days, so it seems solid, but looking for any feedback in case its rigidity can be improved.
PriscoRulez
