Bubba's Cajon build

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Bubba
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Bubba's Cajon build

Post by Bubba »

At the request of Greg, my simple, standard Cajon build, with pictures. :coolstorybro:

12mm top quality birch plywood. 300mm strip marked into 2x 460mm and 2x 300mm pieces
P1020036.JPG
Pieces after cutting.
P1020037.JPG
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. :mad:
P1020038.JPG
Cutting lap joints on the top and bottom sections with a router.
P1020039.JPG
Test fitting the parts.
P1020041.jpg
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

Post by Bubba »

Gluing up. :)
P1020042.JPG
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

Post by JD01 »

Cool. I'd really like a Cajon... dunno what I want it for mind.
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

Post by Bubba »

JD01 wrote: Tue Apr 04, 2017 1:14 pm Cool. I'd really like a Cajon... dunno what I want it for mind.
Well I'm doing this one (hopefully) to sell. :suspicious:
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

Post by JD01 »

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
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

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JD01 wrote: Tue Apr 04, 2017 1:25 pm 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
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. :)
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

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I'm not looking to make a career - just make something and have a bit of beer money. :D
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

Post by Greg_L »

Awesome. Nice stuff. Will be following along.
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

Post by Bubba »

Greg_L wrote: Tue Apr 04, 2017 3:33 pm Awesome. Nice stuff. Will be following along.
Thanks, Greg :coolstorybro:

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.
P1020043.JPG
P1020044.JPG
Rear tapa sized, fitted and glued.
P1020045.JPG
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

Post by Greg_L »

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?
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

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Greg_L wrote: Tue Apr 04, 2017 5:14 pm 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?
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.
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

Post by Greg_L »

Bubba wrote: Tue Apr 04, 2017 5:22 pm
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.
Ok gotcha. Just curious. :coolstorybro:
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

Post by JD01 »

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.
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

Post by Bubba »

JD01 wrote: Wed Apr 05, 2017 5:39 am 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.
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".
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

Post by Bubba »

Soundhole cut in the rear tapa with a router, then finished with a half-round file and sandpaper.
P1020046.JPG

Front tapa fitted:
P1020047.JPG
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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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

Post by Bubba »

Snare wires cut in half and mounted.
.
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Snare assembly fixed in place
.
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Front tapa drilled, countersunk and screws fitted
.
P1020050.JPG
A coat of Sanding Sealer applied.
P1020051.JPG

Next job - steel wool and waxing.

Waiting on the rubber feet to be delivered. :punk:
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

Post by Greg_L »

Wow I had no idea that's how you do the snare wires in those things. Cool.
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

Post by Bubba »

Greg_L wrote: Wed Apr 05, 2017 11:54 am Wow I had no idea that's how you do the snare wires in those things. Cool.
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.
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

Post by rayc »

Looks excellently built Bob. Are you going to experiment with peizo pickups as well?
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Re: Bubba's Cajon build

Post by Bubba »

rayc wrote: Fri Apr 07, 2017 8:37 am Looks excellently built Bob. Are you going to experiment with peizo pickups as well?
Thanks, Ray - that would be something to think about, wouldn't it? :coolstorybro:
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