Yes, Marion - I hope that zither pin is the right term. In the UK you can get the ones I used   here   (they call them zither pegs, actually) - and maybe similar ones from other suppliers. Don't forget to order the right   tuning key!

@Patty - I used tin-plated steel wire with a diameter of 1mm (about 1/25 inch) as that was the only fitting size available in the shop. In case I ever built another one, I already ordered slightly thicker ( 1.5mm resp. about 1/20") high-grade wire as the tin-plated wire already shows a little wear (but I guess it is only the tin surface that is concerned - I don't think the steel will be through within the next weeks ).

Peter, what kind of wire did you use for the frets on your pocket Scheitholt? By the way, that sure is a pretty strumstick and you do fast work

Thank you, Patty, Marion and John! 

@John Tose - I think the wood strips I bought are thought as borders for parquet floors etc. Maybe you can find something similar...

@Marion - I guess I am not go further into the details. But: if you have any questions, just write them as a comment in this thread. I can also provide detail photos or maybe a handdrawn sketch of some details if you need.

I calculated the frets with the fret calculator at stewmac:
http://www.stewmac.com/freeinfo/Reference/Calculators/i-fretcalc.html

I use zither pins with a size of 6.25mm - and I drill the holes with a 6.0mm drill. That works fine.

As I wanted to have the pins on the bridge side (on the right), I used zither pins with a "right spin", that means for the pocket Scheitholts: when I turn pin with the tuning wrench "forward", I raise the pitch - and lower it, when I turn the pin "backwards".

In the last three evenings I already built another instrument out of the dulcimer family. Again, I mainly used those ready made beech wood strips - about 9 hours of work all in all. I didn't take many photos, as that always takes extra time. I'll report about it next weekend. But here's a first glimpse of the result:

Much enjoyed watching this and feel rather tempted to have a go. Unfortunately it's not so easy in the UK as DIY stores only sell cheap nasty pine so it's going to involve a lot more work shaving big thicknesses of wood down to the right thickness. Still might try it though, I'm much impressed with your sheitholts.

Peter, thanks for posting this. I might have a try at it myself. Next time I go to Lowes (lumber and hardware store) I'll check out the wood. I may encourage my husband to help

Yes Carrie...

There's another idea on my mind already... 

Thank you, Mary, Carry, Bobby and Ken. Thanks for watching!

Today I made a double rack for the two pocket Scheitholts. Now I could use them as "Pocket Courting Scheitholt"!

Or (and that is my intention) I can have one tuned in C and one in G, like some of my "turner harmonicas" with a C-scale on one side and a G-scale on the other side. So I could change between both keys quickly by a simple 180 rotation! 

That was great Peter. Thanks for sharing how to build your pocket scheitholt. I really is a good sounding instrument.

Ken

"The dulcimer sings a sweet song."

You can call me mad - but as some people here and on YT asked me whether I could explain how I made my Scheitholts, I could not resist and started to build another pocket Scheitholt on Friday evening. I completed it this afternoon.

I had my camera on a stand, and with the self-timer I took a couple of pictures while I was working on it.

Hope my explanations are helpful. I hope that maybe this video can encourage some people to give it try to build something really basic by themselves. It's so much fun - and I think, almost everybody can do it. Could be a nice project for Grandparents to build one with their grandchildren during a holiday week!

No, I won't sell this one either.  My intention is to string it with strings so that I can play it in CGcc - as an addition to the other one that is tuned Gdgg. I'll have to figure that out first, I do not have suitable strings at home in the moment.