MadModder

The Shop => Wood & Stuff => Topic started by: jcs0001 on December 25, 2016, 10:51:16 AM

Title: Christmas project
Post by: jcs0001 on December 25, 2016, 10:51:16 AM
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.
Title: Re: Christmas project
Post by: shipto on December 25, 2016, 07:40:13 PM
Ah the joys of being a grandparent, you can buy the noisy annoying toys with too much fear of the results  :lol: