How to Make a Cajon Drum

Prepare enough plywood to build the cajon. Typically, a cajon drum is made with two different types of wood, with thinner wood used for the striking surface and slightly thicker wood used for the other parts of the drum.

• Use plywood around 3 mm thick to make the tapa. The tapa is the playing surface of the instrument, and usually, a piece about 33 cm x 48 cm is used for most cajons.
• The remaining sides of the instrument are made from plywood that is about 13 mm thick.

Cut the wood into the required pieces. Prepare the body of the cajon by cutting the wood into precise sizes to form the basic frame. Ensure that the cuts are straight by clamping a metal ruler to the wood and using a saw or circular saw to cut.

• The pieces for the top and bottom of the drum should be 33 cm x 33 cm.
• The piece for the back should be 33 cm x 46 cm.
• The sides should measure about 32 cm x 46 cm.

Draw a 12 cm diameter hole on the back piece of wood. Drill near the edge where the sound hole is marked, and then use a jigsaw or circular saw to cut out the sound hole from there.

• Sand the edges to make them smooth and round for a clean finish.

Design the snare wires. One unique feature of the cajon is the snare wires that create a rattling sound when they make contact with the tapa. You can make this yourself by attaching a few snare wires, repurposing the wires from an old drum, or using a new snare set and fixing it to the inside of the drum.

• A basic snare wire is a metal wire or string that is stretched tight and attached to an object to create a crisp rattling sound. If you're making the drum yourself, old guitar strings, fishing lines, or other metal wires will harmonize perfectly for a handmade cajon. To create the rattling effect, try using small metal items like paper clips, pins, or other recycled materials.

Attach the drum's frame. Start from the bottom and one of the sides, applying a generous amount of wood glue. Then, glue the other side and the top to form the drum's frame.

• Use clamps or tools to hold the pieces steady while applying glue, ensuring they stay as straight as possible. You can also cut a piece of wood to wedge inside the box and keep everything at a right angle.

Apply pressure. A large carpenter's wood clamp would be ideal, but using a strap will also help tighten everything. Secure the pieces to apply the right amount of pressure while the glue dries. Let it sit for several hours before attaching the back piece, tapa, and snare wires.

• Wipe off excess glue with a wet cloth, and make sure to follow the specific glue instructions to understand the required pressure and drying time.

Attach the snare wires before gluing the tapa. Depending on the material used for the snare wires, there are different ways to attach them. Ideally, you should buy a tuning kit from a music store to allow for periodic tuning.

• Stretch the snare wire diagonally from the upper corner of the side that will be the tapa, about 8 cm from each corner along the top and side. Secure the wire inside using wood screws, or attach them to the tuning kit for better control of the sound.

Apply glue to the tapa and the back piece of wood. Attach the front and back pieces as you did before, applying pressure for the same amount of time. Align the back piece to ensure the sound hole is placed at the bottom of the instrument, and the snare wires are at the top. You may also consider adding screws to provide extra stability for your instrument. Since you'll be sitting on the drum, it's important to ensure its sturdiness.

Make feet from leftover wood pieces and attach them to the bottom piece. Rubber or cork can also be used. It's best to find something that works as a cushion to place the frame on, as it will need to support your weight as well. Placing the plywood directly on the ground could cause scratches on the surfaces.

Round off the upper corners for added comfort when sitting. Use sandpaper and spend some time smoothing out the edges and surfaces. Polish your cajon with fine-grit sandpaper, then finish it to your personal taste.

Make it uniquely yours. Decorate your instrument in your own style. Finish it with wood stain for a sleek, professional look, or cover it with Neptune and polar bear stickers for a wild hippie vibe. Now, enjoy your creation.

• Always protect your eyes and ears when working with power tools. Wear safety goggles and earplugs or earmuffs.

• 12mm plywood (or 1.2 cm)
• 3mm plywood (or 0.3 cm)
• Jigsaw
• Clamps and/or strap
• Wood glue
• 3x20mm or x20mm screws
• Electric drill
• Wood file
• Sandpaper