I am building a 13" drum to beat on with my hands to vent and enjoy.

I bought the hardware but I'm lollygaging on buying the wood and
getting started. For wood I'm thinking of using either wenge or
zebrawood. I've calculated 2" as the top of the stave for 15 degree/12
stave segements. I'm afraid to proceed as I'm not sure I'm correct. I
can make trial cuts to make sure of the exact dimensions.

The biggest problem I have is that I have no idea how deep to make the
shell nor how thin to turn it. I would like to get the largest range
of tone possible but keep it on the deep end.

If anyone has any suggestions they would be most welcome.

On Wed, 28 Apr 2010 11:36:33 -0500, ebd wrote
(in message
):

I am building a 13" drum to beat on with my hands to vent and enjoy.

I bought the hardware but I'm lollygaging on buying the wood and
getting started. For wood I'm thinking of using either wenge or
zebrawood. I've calculated 2" as the top of the stave for 15 degree/12
stave segements. I'm afraid to proceed as I'm not sure I'm correct. I
can make trial cuts to make sure of the exact dimensions.

The biggest problem I have is that I have no idea how deep to make the
shell nor how thin to turn it. I would like to get the largest range
of tone possible but keep it on the deep end.

If anyone has any suggestions they would be most welcome.

Well, google is our friend, and I'd look for info on drum making and drum
principles or drum theory.

In my very limited experience with banging on drums late at night on the
summer and winter solstices here in the northern woods, the larger diameter
drums seem to have the lower pitch when struck in the middle, and the deeper
drums - longer air column - seem to favor the lower pitch tones. Of course,
this also depends on the tension in the "skin" and what you are striking with
and lots of other variables.

My personal preference would be for the longest cylinder my lathe and I could
SAFELY handle. I'd try to use 3/4" or 1" lumber and turn the outside to
round, leaving the interior sufaces flat. I'd choose epoxy or Large Hairy
Primate glue for gluing the staves, and would leave the edges as-cut or
sanded no finer than 60-80 grit. I'd want the body to be fairly robust, as
the drum will get hard use.

This is all absolutely opinion, based only on my experience, and in the case
of drumming - maybe a little beer.

tom koehler

--
I will find a way or make one.

In article
,
ebd wrote:

I am building a 13" drum to beat on with my hands to vent and enjoy.

I bought the hardware but I'm lollygaging on buying the wood and
getting started. For wood I'm thinking of using either wenge or
zebrawood. I've calculated 2" as the top of the stave for 15 degree/12
stave segements. I'm afraid to proceed as I'm not sure I'm correct. I
can make trial cuts to make sure of the exact dimensions.

The biggest problem I have is that I have no idea how deep to make the
shell nor how thin to turn it. I would like to get the largest range
of tone possible but keep it on the deep end.

If anyone has any suggestions they would be most welcome.

First suggestion - don't go making your first one (or the second) from
wenge and zebrawood. Ain't nothing like trying to make the first one
perfectly to set you up for a major fail. Pick something you can get
cheaply, and thus afford to screw up a few of, unless (as you clearly
don't) you have lots of experience making similar items. Practice does
not guarantee perfection, but it sure improves your odds of getting a
workmanlike job.

As for depth, you can go anywhere from a bodhran (3 inches deep, 3/8-1/4
inch thick) to a conga, ashiko or djembe that might be up to an inch
thick and 3-4 feet tall, with different shapes. Perhaps you should try a
few different drums and see what you like for sound.

--
Cats, coffee, chocolate...vices to live by

"ebd" wrote in message
...
I am building a 13" drum to beat on with my hands to vent and enjoy.

I bought the hardware but I'm lollygaging on buying the wood and
getting started. For wood I'm thinking of using either wenge or
zebrawood. I've calculated 2" as the top of the stave for 15 degree/12
stave segements. I'm afraid to proceed as I'm not sure I'm correct. I
can make trial cuts to make sure of the exact dimensions.

The biggest problem I have is that I have no idea how deep to make the
shell nor how thin to turn it. I would like to get the largest range
of tone possible but keep it on the deep end.

If anyone has any suggestions they would be most welcome.

The TV show "How it's made" showed an African drum maker who made theirs
from ash. They cut flat stock in the profile they wanted, then beveled the
edges for the amount of staves they wanted. The outside was turned, the
inside left flat.

Where did you get the hardware? Cost?

Thanks,

Rob

Where did you get the hardware? *Cost?
Rob,

I bought the head at a local music store - $26 + tax. The rim and
tensioning hardwaew I ordered from http://www.amdrumparts.com/ and it
came to $40 + shipping.

I always prototype using pine/spruce/whatever's free.

Thanks fir the info.

Rob
"ebd" wrote in message
...
Where did you get the hardware? Cost?
Rob,

I bought the head at a local music store - $26 + tax. The rim and
tensioning hardwaew I ordered from http://www.amdrumparts.com/ and it
came to $40 + shipping.

One could make it like a barrel. See if you can find a video.
Wine barrel making has been on TV.

Buy hardware - old drum ? Also from music stores.

Martin

Rob wrote:
"ebd" wrote in message
...
I am building a 13" drum to beat on with my hands to vent and enjoy.

I bought the hardware but I'm lollygaging on buying the wood and
getting started. For wood I'm thinking of using either wenge or
zebrawood. I've calculated 2" as the top of the stave for 15 degree/12
stave segements. I'm afraid to proceed as I'm not sure I'm correct. I
can make trial cuts to make sure of the exact dimensions.

The biggest problem I have is that I have no idea how deep to make the
shell nor how thin to turn it. I would like to get the largest range
of tone possible but keep it on the deep end.

If anyone has any suggestions they would be most welcome.

The TV show "How it's made" showed an African drum maker who made theirs
from ash. They cut flat stock in the profile they wanted, then beveled the
edges for the amount of staves they wanted. The outside was turned, the
inside left flat.

Where did you get the hardware? Cost?

Thanks,

Rob