Building a cajon

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Building a cajon

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jaggedsphere

Posts: 146
Joined: Feb. 6 2010
From: Ottawa/Toronto

Building a cajon

Has anyone here ever built one?
I have some Baltic Birch plywood and I am going to make one of these.
Have the rough dimensions. But still have not yet decided on how to join the top, sides and bottoms.
Will be using 1/2" for these parts. Should I use a but joint? Easy but perhaps not as strong as a finger joint.
A but joint reinforced along the joint on the interior with a 1x~10" strip should give some extra gluing/screwing surface and make it plenty strong.

I do not have many tools and do not want to spend any more money.
DO have table saw, band saw, dremel(which could perhaps be used as a router) and various hand tools.

Opinions?

Richard

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 21 2011 15:25:42

MarTay6

Posts: 69
Joined: Jul. 10 2011

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to jaggedsphere)

Hi, Richard-
If you go to YouTube and search "build a cajon" or similar search terms (building cajon, etc.) you'll pull up all you need. I know- I was just there last week. One company that makes musical instrument kits even has a construction video on building their cajon kit they offer. It's just a simple box with a hole in it. The good ones add guitar strings and perhaps a few beads or bottlecaps to act as a snare does on a snare drum... to give it a bit of buzz. They're simple to build, butt joints with strip reinforcements should work well. Finger joints in plywood don't work very well, and aren't really necessary. With your tablesaw you can cut the pieces to size- and use your Dremel mounted to a strip of wood to cut your circular hole. Dimensions aren't critical, remember you're going to sit on it- size, build and round the corners accordingly! The videos available/floating around out there should get you going. Good luck!
Wes

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 21 2011 15:39:57

Steve Wright

Posts: 120
Joined: May 11 2011
From: Scotland Fife UK

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to jaggedsphere)

I have notes on building a Cajon. They are on WORD and I will send them to anyone needing them who gives me their email address. The way I was instructed was to simply glue the sides and top. Not as simple as it sounds, but I think I ended up using one nail to keep at least one side in place. I used rope to clamp it - twisting it with a piece of wood to get the tension. The size of the hole makes a difference to the sound - as does the size/shape of opening on a guitar.

_____________________________

Rhythm, grace & passion. El ritmo, gracia & la pasión
Be the change you want to see in this world - Gandhi

http://www.youtube.com/user/FusionMusic1000

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 21 2011 19:04:29

jaggedsphere

Posts: 146
Joined: Feb. 6 2010
From: Ottawa/Toronto

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to jaggedsphere)

I'd love to see your notes. What size did you cut your hole to?
Do you think it matters if the sound hole is at the side or rear?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 21 2011 19:08:21

machopicasso

Posts: 973
Joined: Nov. 27 2010

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to jaggedsphere)

Do you know how to build a shipping crate, a small dresser drawer, or a box? If so, then you're set.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caj%C3%B3n#Origins_and_evolution

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 22 2011 8:56:01

Steve Wright

Posts: 120
Joined: May 11 2011
From: Scotland Fife UK

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to jaggedsphere)

I used to think that simply using a tea chest or drawer was the answer, but I tried it and it didn’t quite work. However, anything can be used for percussion, so if you like that sound, then use it.

Notes on making a Cajun
Carry out this work in a box with out reinforcements on its corners.
Sides are 24mm thick and not screwed. The front plate does not need to be glued to the box, it should be screwed. The screws are left out on the top corners. The front plate of the cajon is about 4mm - although it is thin it should be like a paper of tenacity that is able to vibrate with force and response. Through the past various strings have been used, but acoustical an electric guitar strings work best. The best strings are 0.36 or 0.38. You locate 4 strings parallel to the roof of the cajon, the top part, the part we would hit on the cajon to get the higher tones.
The glues used currently in the construction of flamenco cajons are water based, like white carpentry glue. By pressing the joints with clamps while the glue is drying, excess water is pressed out and a stronger, more solid joint will be. The staple is not recommended for pieces that must withstand tension.
Note: It is common to find, even in famous brands of cajones, thread blocks made from strips of pine like you find in do it your self kits. This a wood changes due to the climate, heat and humidity, so don’t use it as it wears and sometimes warps part of the cajon where it is mounted. To find blocks that are more resilient and stable you can take advantage of the scraps of plywood left over from the cajon construction.
If you cant find 24mm ply - Glue 2 pieces of 12 mm plywood together to get a 24 mm thick piece.
Where you play the cajon is important. Bricks and hard wood walls are the best for reflecting the sound back. Pine walls and plaster are not good.
More instructions can be sent to you.

_____________________________

Rhythm, grace & passion. El ritmo, gracia & la pasión
Be the change you want to see in this world - Gandhi

http://www.youtube.com/user/FusionMusic1000

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 22 2011 21:22:00

MarTay6

Posts: 69
Joined: Jul. 10 2011

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to Steve Wright)

Hi, Steve-
I PM'd you my email address a few days ago, here it is- I'd be interested in your further details:
martay6@bellsouth.net
My main questions concern the relationship of the strings to the front... are they resting on the wood all the way across?? Understand how to build a box... just not sure how to set up the strings!
Thanks~
Wes

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 22 2011 21:31:45

machopicasso

Posts: 973
Joined: Nov. 27 2010

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to Steve Wright)

I think it's cool that people are providing what sounds like informed advice on cajon construction. But I'm curious: is building one's own cajon more cost-effective once one factors in costs for materials, tools, and labor?

I know there's probably an aesthetic factor, as well the kind of satisfaction which can accrue from playing an instrument of one's own making. But is it either significantly cheaper or easier to get a high quality cajon by making one as opposed to buying one?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 23 2011 9:44:15

MarTay6

Posts: 69
Joined: Jul. 10 2011

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to jaggedsphere)

quote:

But is it either significantly cheaper or easier to get a high quality cajon by making one as opposed to buying one?

Probably not... Usually building "something" is more expensive than buying that same "something"- but some of us just like the satisfaction of doing it ourselves- or are inveterate tinkerer's. And we know exactly how something was built/and that it was built right.
Of course, in this case, if you have the wood laying around, which most with a woodshop might- then it would probably cost next to nothing to build one.
Wes

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 23 2011 12:27:12

Steve Wright

Posts: 120
Joined: May 11 2011
From: Scotland Fife UK

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to MarTay6)

I've traced back my original source and come up with some new diagrams which may prove very helpful for you. You will have to forgive the text as it was written in Spanish and then translated, so some errors. This is all the data I have on Cajones and will be helpful for those who didn't manage to get an email from myself. The emails went out, but must have got lost.

http://caseyconnor.org/images/cajon/cajon-schematic.pdf

http://caseyconnor.org/images/cajon/cajon.pdf

http://caseyconnor.org/cajon-xlate.html

_____________________________

Rhythm, grace & passion. El ritmo, gracia & la pasión
Be the change you want to see in this world - Gandhi

http://www.youtube.com/user/FusionMusic1000

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 23 2011 19:21:21

MarTay6

Posts: 69
Joined: Jul. 10 2011

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to jaggedsphere)

Thanks for posting the documents directly, Steve- finally able to view them!
Wes

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 23 2011 20:04:38

jaggedsphere

Posts: 146
Joined: Feb. 6 2010
From: Ottawa/Toronto

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to jaggedsphere)

"and with better results you can impregnate the inside of the box with white glue"

quote:

You will have to forgive the text as it was written in Spanish and then translated, so some errors.

....Um. I should say so!

I can tell this will be a fun read.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 23 2011 22:37:29

machopicasso

Posts: 973
Joined: Nov. 27 2010

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to jaggedsphere)

quote:

"and with better results you can impregnate the inside of the box with white glue"

Yeah, WHATEVER you do, by ALL means AVOID 'impregnating with white glue'!!!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 25 2011 8:57:05

nhills

Posts: 230
Joined: Jul. 13 2003
From: West Des Moines, IA USA

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to Steve Wright)

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"The duende is God's orgasm." - Antonio Canales

"I'm just a poor crazy man in love with his art." - Santos Hernandez (as translated by R. Brune)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jul. 27 2011 1:57:29

Steve Wright

Posts: 120
Joined: May 11 2011
From: Scotland Fife UK

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to MarTay6)

Hi Wes and everyone - hope none of you have gone out and bought 24mm ply for the Cajon. I've just played a friend's Cajon and it was totally different - lighter and more responsive. The information led me to believe you needed 2X 12mm +24mm but you only need 12mm. However, my friend prefers what I have built with the 24mm, but I'm now sure it should be 12mm.

So, big apologies for miss information. Hopefully you read the schematics and got it right. I'm dyslexic, so I'm easily confused.

_____________________________

Rhythm, grace & passion. El ritmo, gracia & la pasión
Be the change you want to see in this world - Gandhi

http://www.youtube.com/user/FusionMusic1000

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 24 2011 15:12:46

jaggedsphere

Posts: 146
Joined: Feb. 6 2010
From: Ottawa/Toronto

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to Steve Wright)

quote:

Hi Wes and everyone - hope none of you have gone out and bought 24mm ply for the Cajon. I've just played a friend's Cajon and it was totally different - lighter and more responsive. The information led me to believe you needed 2X 12mm +24mm but you only need 12mm. However, my friend prefers what I have built with the 24mm, but I'm now sure it should be 12mm.

12mm for all 6 sides? Or just the tappa?

quote:

so I'm easily confused.

Confusion is the mother of wisdom or so they say!

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 25 2011 20:26:27

Steve Wright

Posts: 120
Joined: May 11 2011
From: Scotland Fife UK

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to jaggedsphere)

quote:

12mm for all 6 sides? Or just the tappa?

Tappa is to be 4mm ply. This is the thinnest ply you can get, so I'm told.

All sides are 12mm.

I refer you to http://caseyconnor.org/images/cajon/cajon.pdf which clearly states 12mm for all sides/top/bottom/back. I don't know how I couldn't see that in the first place. At least I can compare timbres (pardon the pun) with my 24mm walled cajon.

If you look at all three references I gave links for, you should be ok.
http://caseyconnor.org/images/cajon/cajon-schematic.pdf

http://caseyconnor.org/images/cajon/cajon.pdf

http://caseyconnor.org/cajon-xlate.html

_____________________________

Rhythm, grace & passion. El ritmo, gracia & la pasión
Be the change you want to see in this world - Gandhi

http://www.youtube.com/user/FusionMusic1000

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 25 2011 22:32:06

Gimar Yestra

Posts: 298
Joined: Jan. 19 2011
From: The Netherlands

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to jaggedsphere)

what about using solid woods??

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2011 17:02:46

Steve Wright

Posts: 120
Joined: May 11 2011
From: Scotland Fife UK

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to Gimar Yestra)

Yes, Cajons are produced using solid timber, oak's and the like.

Dense material.

_____________________________

Rhythm, grace & passion. El ritmo, gracia & la pasión
Be the change you want to see in this world - Gandhi

http://www.youtube.com/user/FusionMusic1000

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2011 18:46:54

Steve Wright

Posts: 120
Joined: May 11 2011
From: Scotland Fife UK

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to Steve Wright)

Once you have finished your Cajon, you can try an Ashiko Drum
http://pdgood.us/handdrum/ashiko.html

_____________________________

Rhythm, grace & passion. El ritmo, gracia & la pasión
Be the change you want to see in this world - Gandhi

http://www.youtube.com/user/FusionMusic1000

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Aug. 26 2011 20:17:00

Steve Wright

Posts: 120
Joined: May 11 2011

[Deleted]

Post has been moved to the Recycle Bin at Sep. 2 2011 0:26:32

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 2 2011 0:23:17

Steve Wright

Posts: 120
Joined: May 11 2011
From: Scotland Fife UK

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to Steve Wright)

This style of snare means that the snare is on all the time unless you make a velcro mute for your cajon.

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Rhythm, grace & passion. El ritmo, gracia & la pasión
Be the change you want to see in this world - Gandhi

http://www.youtube.com/user/FusionMusic1000

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 2 2011 0:26:05

Steve Wright

Posts: 120
Joined: May 11 2011
From: Scotland Fife UK

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to Steve Wright)

I've just built my second Cajon using the 12mm ply (as I pointed out earlier). It sound so different to the one I made with 24mm ply. They sound great played together. However, I have made this one for a young lad who has had a tough time. I aim to attach photos of how I made the snare which works perfectly first time. It's better than my first Cajon snare.

I used old strings and decided that I would twist one of the string ends and screw it down and then pull it tight on the other end and nail it through the "ball end" (These were bronze strings".

Hope this helps with your builds.

Images are resized automatically to a maximum width of 800px

Attachment (1)

_____________________________

Rhythm, grace & passion. El ritmo, gracia & la pasión
Be the change you want to see in this world - Gandhi

http://www.youtube.com/user/FusionMusic1000

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 2 2011 0:27:33

Ruphus

Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to Steve Wright)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Steve Wright
anything can be used for percussion, so if you like that sound, then use it.

When I saw the fuzz about cajons first time, it made me wonder whether folks hadn´t ever taken ordinary objects for spontaneous sessions.
( Similar to when people discovered the plain ol´principle of didgereedoos [ or how ya spell that again ]).

Even some sorts of card boxes or guitar cases can sound better than your common cajon, depending on how you employ it.

BTW: Ever tried banging a thick, timeworn old stick on quickly flattened sand at the beach? Makes for quite a deep bass drum!

Just sayin´.

Ruphus

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 2 2011 15:00:13

Steve Wright

Posts: 120
Joined: May 11 2011
From: Scotland Fife UK

RE: Building a cajon (in reply to Ruphus)

Yes, try anything you can lay your hands on. I went to see an Australian Jazz Rock band and the drummer had a beat up hi-hat that he used for special effects. He would place it over another cymbal and it made an awful sound, but great at the same time - when used in the right context. I loved it. He even made it worse by putting it on the floor tom and getting a dustbin lid effect. Xylophone means "wood sound" - so you take a piece of wood or metal, tune or shape it.

I used to think Cajon's were originally tea chests from when they ship tea in bulk loads before blending. I was told other-wise, but last week, a friend told me the same story - and it makes sense that the Gypsy's made use of what was around to join in.

I have a nice old rough box out in the shed and I'm going to convert that into a Cajon to see what that delivers. They are great for even sitting on and performing guitar. And yes, cardboard boxes sound great apart from when they fall apart.

_____________________________

Rhythm, grace & passion. El ritmo, gracia & la pasión
Be the change you want to see in this world - Gandhi

http://www.youtube.com/user/FusionMusic1000

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Sep. 2 2011 15:20:06