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As the subject says...

Looking to build one and I’m wondering whether anyone has any tips and tricks? There’s a bit of info online, but not sure how much of it is worth considering.

The online recommendations are for Baltic birch ply. Pretty rare stuff in SA, but I can get a hold of some. I’m more concerned with construction. Some people say glue the “drum” surface completely, other say screws only, other say leave the corners unscrewed/glued so that the corners have a more distinct “pop” on impact, others go even farther any sand the corners down a bit to have them “pop” even more…

I’m not a drummer, so I don’t really know what qualities are desirable…

Anyone tips or advice from someone who’s built one would be appreciated.
    Wizard put one together a while ago- it's in at the gear junkie. You might have seen it. I did consider making one me'self, but his is quite nice, so why bother? I think Dafiz also put one together?

    Wizard did mention that he added a internal X-brace - added a lot of stability to it (you are going to be sitting on it). There was a bit more about adding a snare bits to it, but I can't recall exactly what he said.
      V8 wrote: Wizard put one together a while ago- it's in at the gear junkie. You might have seen it. I did consider making one me'self, but his is quite nice, so why bother? I think Dafiz also put one together?

      Wizard did mention that he added a internal X-brace - added a lot of stability to it (you are going to be sitting on it). There was a bit more about adding a snare bits to it, but I can't recall exactly what he said.
      Awesome, thanks. I might swing by and go and have a look.

      Paging Dr Wizard... Dr. Wizard to Percussion please!
        V8 wrote:
        Nitebob wrote: There's a guy in Tableview selling for R600 on Gumtree...

        At that price is it worth making it yourself?

        http://www.gumtree.co.za/a-musical-instruments/tableview/cajon-with-snare/1001413800630910005617909
        Dafiz's ?

        I'd like to make one, just for the hell of it...but I've been in Wizards Workshop (tm) and there's 0% chance of me getting it done as nicely. I'm better off guitaring key-taring...
        My daughters a drummer. If it's still up for sale at month end I might take it off him, so the daughter and I could do an open mic together...ther is zero chance a cajon would support my frail frame... :-[ and even if it could, I wouldn't be able to sit on it and reach down to it....
          a year later
          Hi Rikus

          Im wondering, have you ever made the Cajon?
            Unfortunately no... it's still one the to do list... Life has been getting it the way I'm afraid.
              Sorry for delayed response... Been busy.
              I have made half a dozen and sold them all.

              30cm sq base. 40cm height. I use 18mm seven ply shutterboard available at any hardware store.
              Glued and screwed all round except for the tapa which is 3mm 3 ply 40 x 30cm...
              Screwed bottom. top and half way up the side *from bottom*
              It should have a proper snare but I choose to attach four 0.54 gauge bottom E guitar strings from the top left corner...
              (Two strings in and out of four holes a centimetre apart, hanging about 6cm down inside the tapa)
              I also fitted a cushioned seat to two of them.
              Four door stoppers for rubber feet.
              Varnished all round.
              On one of them I fitted a drummers base kick pedal and stole Milo's tennis ball for a nice soft thud.
              Hole *about the size of a cd* one third of the way up the back... a mic a few inches from hole works well ?
                I wanted to build one but after seeing some of the art pieces made by locals, realised that the money spent was not worth the effort. I bought one after shop trying some Cajon's and decided on a Toca. Bit more expensive but worth it. I have used it in several gigs and recordings with or without cymbals.
                Keira Whitherkay had a very nice black Cajon that she used on shows with a reverse pedal and a high hat. One of the few people that can play the perfect melody on a guitar with a nylon frith in hand and do percussion simultaneously.
                  Nice Dafiz

                  Will you please PM me your details. im interested in buying one if youre still making
                    Stoffeltoo wrote: I wanted to build one but after seeing some of the art pieces made by locals, realised that the money spent was not worth the effort. I bought one after shop trying some Cajon's and decided on a Toca. Bit more expensive but worth it. I have used it in several gigs and recordings with or without cymbals.
                    Keira Whitherkay had a very nice black Cajon that she used on shows with a reverse pedal and a high hat. One of the few people that can play the perfect melody on a guitar with a nylon frith in hand and do percussion simultaneously.
                    The reason I sold the one I made for myself... Although my left foot is always bopping while I'm playing guitar,
                    the madam came out of the room to ask me pleez to shuddup when I had the cajon amplified...
                    apparently my left foot failed dismally :-[
                      Flamencosaint wrote: Nice Dafiz

                      Will you please PM me your details. im interested in buying one if youre still making
                      dawiefz@gmail.com or djb1@mweb.co.za
                      I used some leftover wood but had to buy the rubber feet and screws etc...
                      I'd need to see in the garage if I still have some of that wood left over 8)
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