MadModder
The Shop => Wood & Stuff => Topic started by: jcs0001 on December 25, 2016, 10:51:16 AM
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We have a "new" granddaughter as of about 9 months back and I decided to make a noise maker for her for Christmas. I had told my daughter years ago that if she ever had children I'd give them drums and bugles for Christmas :D
Lee Valley Tools (we have a new store nearby as of this last spring) carries xylophone kits - a small one and a big one. The kits come with the metal keys, mounting screws and a few strips of self adhesive foam. They also come with instructions however the instructions look like they are about 25th generation photocopies. Since nothing is too good for granddaughter, I ordered the large 2 octave, kit.
I had a nice chunk of 2 in. walnut available and ripped it into 3/4 in x 1 in. strips on the table saw. Being in doubt about the instructions I mocked up the frame and holes several times before gluing it up and drilling a multitude of holes.
The sticks (drum sticks?) were made with about 15 in. of 5/16 in. arrow shafting and a round ball glued onto each end. Turns out they were a big hit with granddaughter as she found them great for chewing.
The instrument sounds alright and I suspect it will be a year or two before she is able to use it as it is meant. In the meantime her parents can play songs for her.
(http://i1192.photobucket.com/albums/aa327/jcs0001/IMG_0002_24.jpg)
Of course the instrument needed something to contain it so I broke out the sewing machine and made up a bag for it.
Since it is now Christmas morning here I would like to wish all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I would also like to thank all the members who assisted me (and many others) with ideas, solutions and interest in projects. Please keep contributing.
John.
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Ah the joys of being a grandparent, you can buy the noisy annoying toys with too much fear of the results :lol: