The gramophone, or phonograph, is an instrument that records and plays sound. Numerous inventors including Édouard-Léon Scott de Martinville, Thomas Edison and Emil Beringer contributed to the invention of the modern gramophone, which was the dominant music player for most of the 20th century. While a real, antique gramophone with an external horn can cost thousands, you can make a miniature gramophone model to enhance your Victorian-style sitting room with just a few supplies. Alternatively, adapt this project by decreasing the size by 75 percent and using the piece in a doll house or diorama.
Things You'll Need:
- Craft Knife
- Scissors
- Welding Kit
- Paintbrushes
- Marker
- Shears
- Ruler
- Compass
- Protractor
- Paint
- Knife
- Wood Box
- Glue
- 0.02 Copper Sheets
- Tape
Set the compass to a 4-inch radius. Place the point of the compass along the lower edge of the copper sheet so the drawing implement is at the corner of the sheet. Draw a semicircle by rotating the compass 180 degrees.
Use a protractor to mark off every 20 degrees. Hold the horizontal line of the protractor along the horizontal edge of the semicircle and line up the center mark with the place where the compass point was located.
Draw a straight line from the center of the semicircle, where the compass point was located, to the perimeter passing through each angle mark. This will divide the semicircle into nine triangular segments. Draw an arch or triangle over each segment to form a scalloped rim.
Score each of the straight lines radiating from the center of the semicircle. Do not cut all the way through the copper sheet, but mark it with an indentation.
Cut out the semicircle.
Fold the sheet at each score line to form a tube, the body of the horn, until the sides of the semi-circle meet.
Tape, glue or cold weld the sides of the sheet together. Dry overnight.
Cut off the pointed tip of the horn at a 60-degree angle.
Cut a 1-by-1 inch square of copper and roll it into a tube. Cut off the tip of the tube at a 60-degree angle. Glue the tube to the base of the horn so that the angles match.
Use an awl or hand drill to make a hole in the corner of the wooden box. Glue the tube of the horn into the hole.
Paint the box brown to resemble a wooden gramophone base.
Tip
Use wire or additional copper pieces to adorn the box with trim, levels and a swinging arm.
Writer Bio
Sylvia Cini has written informative articles for parents and educators since 2009. Her articles appear on various websites. Cini has worked as a mentor, grief counselor, tutor, recreational leader and school volunteer coordinator. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Clark University of Worcester, Massachusetts.
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