Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox - Done! (lots of pics)

[Snow Builder]

I got drafted into building a jukebox prop for my daughter's elementary school Christmas performance. This is a non-funtional prop, but I wanted it to be as close to realistic looking as I can get it. The goal is keep the build inexpensive (the school has a limited budget) and light -so it can be moved around, and stored, easily.

I started by looking at lots of reference pictures, then constructing a small scale model.

While I was tempted to finish it mockup, I figured I better move on to the real thing. Next post, it's big and it's pink...

 

[Abelugo]

Re: Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox

Some scuffed up acrylic and maybe some chrome tape could give the lighted sections a good simple extra dimension. The little model looks good

 

[Snow Builder]

Re: Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox

Some scuffed up acrylic and maybe some chrome tape could give the lighted sections a good simple extra dimension. The little model looks good

You and I are definitely thinking along the same lines.

More pics:
Creating the full-size version on pink-sheet insulation (polystyrene)

Cutting out the windows and details

Added arch details and hit it with a base coat of red primer

and added woodgrain effect to front and sides

Next up, creating the side light panels...

 

[Snow Builder]

Re: Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox

Started working on the side tubes.

Internal braces:

Cut out mounting points for the brackets

Test fit of structural pieces

Skinned with Lexan

Airbrushed from the back and sealed with clear coat

Created wood-inlaid insert for bottom cutouts (just cardboard painted to look like wood)

Created "metal" accent pieces

Test fit (dry assembly)

More to come…

 

[lharles]

Re: Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox

That was somethin' I considered doin' a while back, as I've always wanted a bubbler. Looking very slick, so far...

 

[Pippspriller]

Re: Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox

Cool build!
But I gotta ask one thing...
You have carpet in your garage!?!
Shag carpet?!?
That has got to be the coolest, craziest, not necessarily practical, but awesome thing ever.

 

[CB2001]

Re: Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox

Impressive build so far. Honestly, my dad has a couple of jukeboxes himself (both Wurlitzers, one from the 1950s, the other from the 1970s), and I have to admit, so far that is looking more and more like a real jukebox. Can't wait to see the end results.

 

[Snow Builder]

Re: Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox

That was somethin' I considered doin' a while back, as I've always wanted a bubbler. Looking very slick, so far...

Thanks! I'd tell you to dive in, its a fun build.

Cool build!
But I gotta ask one thing...
You have carpet in your garage!?!
Shag carpet?!?
That has got to be the coolest, craziest, not necessarily practical, but awesome thing ever.

LOL. The pictures are misleading -I have a workshop in my basement where I do casting, molding and airbrushing (that's where the carpet is); I do my woodworking in the garage, no carpet

Thanks for following my build.

Impressive build so far. Honestly, my dad has a couple of jukeboxes himself (both Wurlitzers, one from the 1950s, the other from the 1970s), and I have to admit, so far that is looking more and more like a real jukebox. Can't wait to see the end results.

Thanks, high-praise indeed. There seem to be so many models and variations on the Wurlizers that I have a lot of flexibility on the build.

Started on the lettering. First a test:

…and now for the Jukebox:

Airbrushed and templates removed:

Lighting added:

More to come...

 

[Strode]

Re: Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox

loving this

 

[Snow Builder]

Re: Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox

loving this

Thanks!

My deadline for having this complete is Monday (tomorrow). I have some pressing family matters that will take up the rest of the week.

More progress-

Adding top arch and support ribs:

Skinned the top, added the record shelf, and added lights:

Added front buttons:

More to come...

 

[Abelugo]

Re: Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox

Wow, great job and way to keep a deadline

 

[Snow Builder]

Re: Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox

Wow, great job and way to keep a deadline

Thanks, made the deadline, but it took an all-nighter and a few comprises I would have prefered not to make -that said, I'm pretty happy with the end result.

Created accent pieces and feet from foam:

Painted and attached:

Creating the records:

The record player (base and arm made from foam):

The record spindle (also made from foam):

More to come...

 

[Pippspriller]

Re: Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox

Holy moly!

 

[Abelugo]

Re: Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox

Dude, I was going to say where are the records, but that is crazy awesome.

 

[Snow Builder]

Re: Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox

Holy moly!

Thanks, you make me blush!

Dude, I was going to say where are the records, but that is crazy awesome.

Thanks, the records were a challenge but definitely fun to do.

I can't begin to describe what a mad rush it was to get this done. I'm not even sure all the glue was completely dry before I loaded it into the van to take to my daughter's school. The finished piece is huge, 5' tall, 3.5' wide and 2.5' deep. I had to drop all the seats in the van to get it to fit and it barely made it.

Anyway, enough with the whining. Here's the finished piece:

Details (sorry for the bad pics, I couldn't eliminate reflections from the glass)

For Ghostbuster fans, you can spot a few resin proton pack pieces doubling as interior electronics.

If anyone is interested in a list of building materials, building tips, or lessons learned please post your interest -otherwise I won't clutter up the thread with boring details.

No more to come (finished)...

 

[CB2001]

That looks amazing!

 

[Kevlarr]

I'm a bit late here, but looks really cool, well done!

 

[mikem27]

Re: Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox

Absolutely love your jukebox! Although I am verryyyy late to this post, I am also tasked with building a prop jukebox for a school play. Any additional info would be a great help...especially how you got the curved top sheet to bend, and how thick the Lexan was for the "glass" tubes (how did you form it?), and what glue was used to attach the structural foam pieces to the wood framing. And one last one, what was the shelf holding the records made out of?...

 

[Snow Builder]

Re: Prop Wurlitzer Jukebox

Absolutely love your jukebox! Although I am verryyyy late to this post, I am also tasked with building a prop jukebox for a school play. Any additional info would be a great help...especially how you got the curved top sheet to bend, and how thick the Lexan was for the "glass" tubes (how did you form it?), and what glue was used to attach the structural foam pieces to the wood framing. And one last one, what was the shelf holding the records made out of?...

Glad you like the build and good luck with your own endeavor.

To answer your questions:

The curved top piece is made from layered poster board bonded together using Modge Podge. When the paper is saturated it adheres to the underlying support, as well as itself, and keeps its curve.

The Lexan was pulled from cheap, Walmart poster frames. It bends easily and was attached to the supporting wood piece using hot glue and a few penny nails -no forming necessary.

This was a speed build, so hot glue was used for almost everything including attaching the foam to the wood structural pieces.

Lastly, like the rest of the prop, the supporting shelf was made from pinksheet insulation. The records and devices on display arevery light, so there was little risk of bending. I ran a couple of strips of the insulation lengthwise across the bottom of the shelf (like joists) to give the piece a little more rigidity.

Make sure you post pics of your build!

 

[refinc]

I'm also late to the game and as many others love your model! I'm doing some research to make a Jukebox as well for a High School production! I really like how you built it out to make it more 3-Dimensional look and added the lights. I'm wanting to do the same. I was wondering what the Jukebox was used for. I'm concerned on making it mostly out of foam for durability sake and was thinking of using 3/4 or half inch ply and some bendy ply or 1/8 luan for the top curve... An actor has to smack it and bring it to life..... How did the foam hold up for you???

Thanks!