How to Build an Eight Tone Drum

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Determine the size of your completed drum and the number of tones you wish to produce.

   (1 inch tongue, with a quarter inch spacing on either side for cutting and sanding) A two tone drum could be as narrow as 3 inches (7.6 cm) if you placed the tongues end to end with their striking ends in the center. , The sides and bottom should be a minimum of half an inch thick, with larger boxes having thicker walls. ,,,,,,,,,, You cannot make them longer but you could sand them shorter to make the produced tone higher.
2. 2

   Step 2: Calculate an inch and a quarter wide section of lid for each tone.

3. 3

   Step 3: Construct a solid wood box from straight grained hardwood.

4. 4

   Step 4: Carefully glue

5. 5

   Step 5: and corner block all edges to form a box that is solid and airtight.

6. 6

   Step 6: Construct the top (your striking surface) from a single plank of straight grained hardwood.

7. 7

   Step 7: Draw your proposed tongue pattern on paper first.

8. 8

   Step 8: Transfer the pattern onto the wood.

9. 9

   Step 9: Using a Drill press

10. 10

    Step 10: drill out the ends of each cut line.

11. 11

    Step 11: Use a saber saw or skill saw to cut the lines for your tongues.

12. 12

    Step 12: Router the lines with a quarter round bit to smooth the edges.

13. 13

    Step 13: Sand everything smooth.

14. 14

    Step 14: Place the striking lid atop the box and test the tones produced.

15. 15

    Step 15: Adjust the length(s) of your striking tongue(s) to tune your drum.

Detailed Guide

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