Bubba's Cajon build
- Bubba
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Bubba's Cajon build
At the request of Greg, my simple, standard Cajon build, with pictures.
12mm top quality birch plywood. 300mm strip marked into 2x 460mm and 2x 300mm pieces
Pieces after cutting.
Squaring off the ends with a block plane after cutting with a jigsaw. If I had a sliding chopsaw I wouldn't need to do this.
Cutting lap joints on the top and bottom sections with a router.
Test fitting the parts.
12mm top quality birch plywood. 300mm strip marked into 2x 460mm and 2x 300mm pieces
Pieces after cutting.
Squaring off the ends with a block plane after cutting with a jigsaw. If I had a sliding chopsaw I wouldn't need to do this.
Cutting lap joints on the top and bottom sections with a router.
Test fitting the parts.
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Haggard Musician
- Bubba
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build
Gluing up.
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Haggard Musician
Re: Bubba's Cajon build
Cool. I'd really like a Cajon... dunno what I want it for mind.
Re: Bubba's Cajon build
How much do you expect to sell it for? I know Emma's cajons were pretty expensive - about 130-140 quid or so.
Her other one was bigger and had kind of a "rocking chair" base too
Her other one was bigger and had kind of a "rocking chair" base too
- Bubba
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build
See how long it takes then calculate cost of materials. If I can clear 50 quid for this one for myself then the shop can add a bit more on top. There might not be any demand.
Haggard Musician
- Bubba
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build
I'm not looking to make a career - just make something and have a bit of beer money.
Haggard Musician
- Bubba
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build
Thanks, Greg
Here's more:
Out of the clamps, faces of the joints trued up and edges likewise. Then shaped with the router and the rounding-over bit.
Rear tapa sized, fitted and glued.
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Haggard Musician
Re: Bubba's Cajon build
Cool. I don't know anything about woodworking or joints. Are those kinds of joints strong and stable to sit on? It won't wobble?
Rebel Yell
- Bubba
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build
Once the rear tapa is glued and the front tapa is screwed on properly it's completely solid. I've seen designs where the corners are reinforced inside with 1x1 softwood but I don't think it's needed and I have a feeling it will affect resonance.
Haggard Musician
Re: Bubba's Cajon build
I think a Cajon would just be fun jamming with my nieces - they're getting really into singing and playing guitar now since I gave them my old acoustic about a year ago.
- Bubba
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build
It takes a bit of time to learn how to hit them properly, but yes. It's a great, simple percussion instrument, especially with snares added and loose corners for the "clack".
Haggard Musician
- Bubba
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build
Soundhole cut in the rear tapa with a router, then finished with a half-round file and sandpaper.
Front tapa fitted:
Next job is to drill and countersink for the front tapa screws, and fit the snare. This one won't be adjustable, but the next one will.
Front tapa fitted:
Next job is to drill and countersink for the front tapa screws, and fit the snare. This one won't be adjustable, but the next one will.
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Haggard Musician
- Bubba
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build
Snare wires cut in half and mounted.
. Snare assembly fixed in place
.
Front tapa drilled, countersunk and screws fitted
.
A coat of Sanding Sealer applied.
Next job - steel wool and waxing.
Waiting on the rubber feet to be delivered.
. Snare assembly fixed in place
.
Front tapa drilled, countersunk and screws fitted
.
A coat of Sanding Sealer applied.
Next job - steel wool and waxing.
Waiting on the rubber feet to be delivered.
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Haggard Musician
Re: Bubba's Cajon build
Wow I had no idea that's how you do the snare wires in those things. Cool.
Rebel Yell
- Bubba
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build
There are a few ways of doing it but this is simple and gives a good sound. Also, there's some isolation from the area where the bass effect is most prominent, so the player can separate the bass, snare and click sounds. Some designs have a guitar string arrangement, with two strands lying closely against the front in a vee shape. Not easy to describe but there are pictures on google search.
Haggard Musician
Re: Bubba's Cajon build
Looks excellently built Bob. Are you going to experiment with peizo pickups as well?
Cheers
rayc
rayc
- Bubba
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build
Thanks, Ray - that would be something to think about, wouldn't it?
Haggard Musician