Retro Paper Gramophone – 3D Cut File

We’re taking things way back today! I’ve got a vintage-style paper craft I’ve been working on for days, and I’m thrilled to be sharing it with you now. Check out this retro paper gramophone, and see how you can make one for yourself with just a few supplies from your craft room!

Retro Paper Gramophone

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Not gonna lie, this one took some serious time and testing to get right. Figuring out a way to not only make a curved shape, but to make it flare out was really tricky! My paper scrap bin was filled to the brim with practice cuts and mess ups by the time I finally got around to this iteration.

Retro Paper Gramophone

Even though this retro paper gramophone took a lot longer than I had planned (story of my life), I’m really proud of how it turned out! I love all things vintage/retro, so it’s always fun to recreate and display something so unique.

Retro Paper Gramophone

Supplies

How to Make

1. Use your cutting machine or X-ACTO knife, along with my template, to cut out all of the gramophone pieces.

Note: If you are using the SVG files that includes the score lines, don’t forget to set them as such in Cricut Design Space and attach them to their shapes before sending through your cutting machine. I used a lime green color to mark the score lines and a bright pink to mark a few layered cuts, so hopefully that helps! If you’re not using the SVG file that includes score lines, you can use the PDF version as a reference to know where your folds should go.

 

Assembling the Sound Box

2. Start by attaching all of the embellishment pieces to your side sections. This includes the front and back liners, the intricate “frame” pieces, and the placard for the front. You can also add some hand drawn details if you choose (the placard on the front of mine ended up looking a little like Cogsworth, haha).

After that, fold along the score lines of your top section, and attach the tabs to the inside of each of your four sides (DO NOT attach the bottom piece at this time).

 

3. Next, assemble the support structure for the horn. Fold each of these two pieces along their score lines. Glue the small one together to make a square column shape.

Using your small square piece, insert the end with the smaller tabs into the square hole of your larger piece. Glue down the tabs.

Attach the tab on the larger piece to the inside on the opposite wall to complete the shape.

Take the completed structure and insert it into the square hole in the backside of your sound box. Glue down the tabs on the inside.

 

4. Time to make the record and the post to hold it. Attach your colored ring to the center of your record, making sure that the holes line up perfectly.

Cut a small portion of the toothpick and attach it to the center of the smaller black circle, using a generous portion of hot glue.

Once the toothpick has had ample time to dry, and you’re sure it won’t move, insert it through the inside of your sound box, and glue the black circle to the inside to keep it secure.

Now, you can place your record on top!

 

5. Next, assemble the crank. Gather the square piece of paper and the small rectangle.

Roll the square piece as tightly as you can. Check to see if it fits into the hole on the side of the sound box. If it is too large, trim off some excess paper until it fits snugly in the hole (the metallic paper I was using is fairly stiff, so I ended up trimming off a lot of excess, but if you use a thin material, you may need to use the entire square).

Glue the rolled paper, holding it together tightly while until the hot glue dries completely. Then, roll the small, rectangular piece around the end and glue it on as well.

Finally, make two bends in the crank, and insert it into the hole in the side of the sound box.

 

Assembling the Horn

6. This part is a little tricky, but with enough determination (and hot glue), you can do it!

Start by overlapping the tapered sides of each “petal” on your horn, and gluing them together (this will help the horn flare out when it’s complete).

Next, make the “cap” for the end of the horn by taking the circle pice with the long section attached, and glue each one of the tabs on the inside, around the whole circle.

Completely overlap two of the end “petals” and glue the together to make the full horn shape.

Fold the tapered ends slightly, and glue them around the inside of the “cap.” This is also a good time to curl your edges back in order to emphasize the “flare” of the horn. To do this, you can use the long edge of a bone folder or simply roll to rounded edge backward carefully until you achieved the desired look.

Lastly, attach the small circle piece to the inside of the horn to cover up the ugly, gluey mess.

 

Final Steps

7. You’re on the home stretch! Attach the base to the bottom of the sound box the same way you did the top.

Glue the pieces of the arm/needle together. Fold down a small section on the back of the arm, and attach it to the back of the sound box.

Position the horn where you want it to rest. Glue the back of the cap to the circular flap on the support structure.

That’s it—you did it! Give yourself a hand.

Not only is this retro paper gramophone just a really cool craft, but the little details all around the piece make it fun to look at from every angle.

Retro Paper Gramophone Retro Paper Gramophone

I use Adobe Illustrator for all of my designs, and a Cricut Maker to bring my creations to life. For tips on creating fun paper cuts like this one, see the FAQ section on my website. Also, be sure to check out the other awesome 3D projects available on my blog!

Enjoy putting this retro paper gramophone together! When you do, I’d love to see how it turns out! You can always share your creations with me on Instagram, and by using #designsbymissmandee.

Miss Mandee Signature

 

 

Watch the video tutorial for this design here:

Retro Paper Gramophone

*This post contains affiliate links. By clicking through my links to make a purchase, you are supporting this blog and the hard work that goes into providing free, quality designs.

19 Comments

19 Comments on Retro Paper Gramophone – 3D Cut File

  1. KAREN
    March 19, 2020 at 7:53 am (4 years ago)

    love this!!!!!!!!

    Reply
    • Mandee
      March 19, 2020 at 8:36 am (4 years ago)

      Yay! Thank you Karen!!

      Reply
  2. Kathy
    March 19, 2020 at 8:11 am (4 years ago)

    Thank you so much! I honestly don’t know how you get these designs done! I’m lucky if I get the file downloaded and unzipped. One of these days I hope to actually make something! In the meantime, I will be happy just thinking about the possibilities.

    Reply
    • Mandee
      March 19, 2020 at 8:38 am (4 years ago)

      Thanks Kathy! It’s what I love to do. I’m glad you enjoy my designs—making them or simply thinking about the possibilities! 😊

      Reply
  3. Elizabeth
    March 19, 2020 at 8:28 am (4 years ago)

    I totally love this! Thank you for sharing your file!

    Reply
    • Mandee
      March 19, 2020 at 8:38 am (4 years ago)

      You are most welcome! I’m so glad you like it!! ❤️

      Reply
  4. Charlotte Silber
    March 19, 2020 at 9:13 am (4 years ago)

    thank you this is adorable

    Reply
    • Mandee
      March 19, 2020 at 9:51 am (4 years ago)

      You are very welcome Charlotte. 😊

      Reply
  5. TERRY SMITH
    March 19, 2020 at 3:19 pm (4 years ago)

    I love this file and vintage anything as well. Thank you for sharing!

    Reply
    • Mandee
      March 20, 2020 at 9:09 am (4 years ago)

      You get me! So glad you like it. 😊

      Reply
  6. dawn tyson
    March 19, 2020 at 3:26 pm (4 years ago)

    Thank you so much. Your designs are fab. how you think up your projects and put them together. and sharing your fantastic work. Thank you so much

    Reply
    • Mandee
      March 20, 2020 at 9:09 am (4 years ago)

      Thank you so much Dawn!! You are too sweet. ❤️

      Reply
  7. sharlene
    March 19, 2020 at 4:11 pm (4 years ago)

    Adorable!!!!

    Reply
    • Mandee
      March 20, 2020 at 9:10 am (4 years ago)

      Thank you Sharlene!!

      Reply
  8. PaOla
    March 20, 2020 at 2:28 pm (4 years ago)

    I Really appreciate so so much this file. God Bless you and keep safe!!

    Reply
    • Mandee
      March 23, 2020 at 9:01 am (4 years ago)

      I’m glad you like it! You stay safe as well!!

      Reply
  9. Kim
    September 19, 2020 at 12:31 am (4 years ago)

    Well…I have finally learned my lesson! I finally bookmarked your blog! I am just trying to get back to crafting. I have gotten in a depressed state since all the covid stuff has been around, and just feel that I have lost my purpose. I stumbled onto your blog, as I have done in the past….but this time I wont lose it 🙂 Have a great weekend!

    Reply
    • Mandee
      September 21, 2020 at 8:37 am (4 years ago)

      I’m so glad that you found me again! And it makes me so happy to know that my designs can help you in any small way. I know that crafting has helped a lot with my mental state lately as well!!

      Reply
  10. Ginny
    January 6, 2021 at 10:14 pm (3 years ago)

    wow!! so cute paper gramophone !!!!! can it be used for pretend play

    Reply

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