CODE: thumhdwe
Thumb Piano Complete Hardware

Sounds good going to pick up another full kit

Easy project, good instructions and materials. I used some walnut for the box and birch for the front/back. All the wood came from a few trees off a friends property, and it was a good way to put some of the smaller logs to good use. I'll definitely make a few more.

the kit is great quality for the price. It does have to be adapted (using different screws) depending on what base/body you're using to construct the item. It would be helpful for construction instructions to indicate which size of keys go where.

I used the hardware to make a kalimba. The material is excellent and when assembled has a nice appearance and sound.

Good quality parts. I've bought over 150 of these sets. Just a few things to look out for if you are really picky: The kit comes with 15 tines. I generally use 12 for a more ergonomic spacing. The ends of the tines are bent down some for more comfortable playing than straight tines, but they are still a little hard on your thumbs. I would like the ends to be bent a little more to give them a smoother feel. The brass parts tend to be longer than the wood bridge piece, but if you make the body wide enough, this doesn't matter. Finally, the wood bridge pieces are nicely machined and have a smooth finish. The ends are angled a bit and I don't know if this has a function or not (maybe so the tines can be splayed), but I always straighten them up on the disc sander so the ends are perpendicular to the sides. To me it just looks neater.