Step One: The Plans

A few weeks ago, John Dukes asked me to build a cajon drum.  I was excited to get to do it, because I love projects and I love building things, and  I wanted one.  I figured I would build two- one for Capstone, and one for myself.  I figured I would share the steps as I go through them, in case you want to make one.  It also can show the creative process.

When John asked me, I immediately went online and found several plans.  I sent them to my dad, and he said it looked easy enough (my dad is a genius with wood, at least I think).  We have both sat on those plans for about two weeks.  Last night I decided to do some more research, and to look at other cajones.  

 I went on youtube and listened to about 15 videos of people playing.  I didn't want to watch videos on people building them- I can do that, I want to hear how various ones sound, to get a feel for that.  I have adopted the following policy in building this drum and in life:
Anyone can do anything.  Doing it well is a different story.

I looked on multiple blogs, looking at around 10 sets of plans, all different.  With the small amount of knowledge I have in wood (enough to know the possibility of splitting the wood with careless screw placement, etc)  I decided I would concoct my own plans, derived of many of the plans I found.  I don't want this to sound like boasting, because it really isn't anything amazing- but I have a good ability to be able to picture how something will go together and work.  So I could tell which plans would make the drum sound like an amateur made it, and plans which would make the drum sound like a seasoned drum maker made it.

I went to Home Depot (I prefer Lowes, but I know they're the same), and priced some wood.  I think I'm going to use 3/4th inch wood for the sides and back, and haven't decided on the tapa (or frontplate) yet.

Stay tuned for Step Two: The Purchasing.

I'm excited to do this, and I'm excited about blogging throughout the process.  I hope it helps someone, and if you see one of my posts and say to yourself 'that will not work!'- Let me know :)