Building a Cajon (ca-hon)

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#5

I made two cajons when I joned slms. One was big enugh to sit on and a handheld one. The big one is still at my storage as it got a bit damp when i left it outside (for moths by accident) and the small one is cute, but extremely impractical. I used plywood for the big one with 9mm thick walls and front and back if I remember correctly was a 2mm laseply, the bass hole I lasercut in shappes of a water ripple which i also engraved on the rest. I got a snare that i never fitted.

The small one was from a 3mm plywood and a veneer stretched over the front.

Would be nice seeing what you make, mine was more of a woodworking learning project that ended up good enough, but i am sure the tappa could be done more precisely.

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3 Likes
#6

I decided I will refurbish the big cahon, thanks for inspiring me to getting it from storage @msparker

1 Like
#7

Ah the other sharpening station - the one with the sink not the one with the tormek

#8

Please forgive me for not recognizing that. Soz!

#9

Np, forgot we have two now!

1 Like
#10

It’ll go back after the scheduled woodturning inductions are over…

#11

This looks great! Love the laser cut sound hole, that’s so unique! Where did you get the idea?

I’m largely doing it as a learning project too but with the main thing being the joinery side. I’m hoping what I learn here I can apply to things like bedside tables in the future. I’ve also never veneered anything so that could be cool. I saw a video yesterday about laser cut marquetry which was thought provoking! I do also wonder about using veneers to make up ply from scratch as I hear the tapa wood can make quite a difference but perhaps that’s better as something to retrofit down the line. Veneering onto a birch ply substrate sounds a lot easier.

#12

Yes!!! I hear a drum circle coming :stuck_out_tongue:

1 Like
#13

I am a creative person actually.

Makes me think I should make more, try to sell them. Will try making another one, but better.

1 Like
#14

those look great! very creative!

1 Like
#15

I finished this a couple of weeks ago but have been too lazy to post! Here are some photos of it in progress and finished. A big thank you to lots of people who helped along the way, especially @Ryanf who helped me with tool inductions, glue ups and lots of advice!

In the end, not much changed from my plans. I went with mitred through dovetails on the top and half blinds on the bottom, used guitar strings for the snare and tried out some veneering for the tapa(s).

I made two different tapas (the front bit), one is a four way bookmatched poplar burl (mappa) veneer, the other is a rippled mahogany. Neither are perfect, it turns out veneering is hard, so a third may happen one day but for now I’m largely happy with it. I think all the joints came out great and I’m very happy with the Kiaat wood I used which got lots of interest at the makerspace.

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7 Likes
#16

Looks really good, what finish did you end up applying?

But is it a Cahon if we don’t hear it being played, or is it just a table? :slight_smile:

1 Like
#17

Haha, maybe after some practice :smile: I think it sounds pretty decent but I don’t have a good reference point. I’d like to have a go on a commercial one and see. The snare for instance was just a guess of how to do it well and could probably be tweaked.

I went with Osmo as I had it and knew I could get a decent finish with it. I would like to try some other finishes though

#18

Looks really great! Did you cut the joints with a hand saw?

#19

Yep, the joinery was done by hand :slight_smile: I tried out the dovetail guide and it was excellent!

3 Likes
#20

That’s so pretty :heart_eyes_cat:

#21

Hi Matt,

We are starting to look at our content inclusion for the Dulwich festival Maker fair we have a “Don’t be Shy! submit your Make” event happening on Friday. Would this be of any interest to you maybe and/or do you know anyone else I can reach out too?

Cheers
Dorine

#22

Love this!! Would be great to see it in action. And it’s true… I lik emaking things and I like percussion… maybe I should make one of these!

#23

Thanks for asking, I’m taking that as a big complement. I’m touch and go as to whether I can come friday, but would be happy to share this and perhaps the chair I made a few months back

2 Likes
#24

I love both of them :slight_smile: apologies its such short notice but I dint have a lot of notice myself :smiley: