Hey, guys, especially Josh!
Today I was lucky enough to find some scrap pieces of oak from my local lumber yard. I cut the pieces on my compound miter saw with no problem BUT, at 3/4 of an inch thick, I really think the pieces are too heavy. I'm sure they will muffle the sound. Next week, I'll try a woodworking shop about thirty minutes from here. I'd like to get the pieces planed to about 1/2 inch, maybe a bit less. Hopefully, that should open up the sound. Keep you posted.
Brian
Well, I finally got around to reading this thread. Never thought about making a wood block, I think you guys are on the right track. It would be fun to try a design in a few different woods I have laying around, oak, cherry, maple, hickory, walnut, red grandis, African mahogany and who knows what else. If someone comes up with a design that works I might take that and build one from each wood species and see how different they sound.
Hello, guys!
Just want to report on my progress. My first "prototype" was a total disaster! As I thought, 3/4 inch oak muffled the sound far too much! It sounded like a kid beating on a log with a baseball bat only not as loud! Terrible! I told my wife that I made her a butterfly house. She was actually quite pleased. Today, I was lucky enough to capture the imagination of a local gentleman who owned and worked in his own woodworking shop. His equipment was unbelievable! He stopped his work to help me out. He planed my oak (Luckily I had a lot left over) to about 1/4 inch. He did a beautiful job! I've been cutting and gluing pieces together for a couple of hours. So far, so good. Although I am optimistic, if this one is also a failure, perhaps Jeff can sell me one of his blocks! I know his work will be a hell of a lot better than mine!
Brian
Brian, I wouldn't know where to start. I am depending on you to get the design down for me, lol.
I received the book, "Sound Designs: A Handbook of Musical Instrument Building." It describes making the sound chamber by using a radial arm saw with a dado blade.
Instead, I used my table saw with an 8" dado stack set to 1/2" (per the book). I used a chunk of cherry that was left over from another project. It started out about 12" long, 3" wide and about 1 7/8" thick. (The book recommended a 3" by 3" block. Don't have one).
First, I raised the dado all the way up to measure the depth of cut as well as the length of cut. I marked pencil lines on the table saw to denote the beginning and ending of the cut. (Photo 1).
I set the blank about 1/4" from the outside edge of the dado, to give me a 1/4"-thick playing surface (again, per the book). I clamped my fence down, then clamped the blank to the fence over the lowered blade. I then turned on the saw and gradually raised it to make the cut. (Photo 4). The cut ended up being slightly narrower than 1/2", so I nudged the fence over and made a second skim cut to accommodate my 1/2" chisel.
Striking this surface gave me a slightly hollower sound than if the block were left solid, but not much different. I then clamped the block to my workbench and whacked, chiseled and cussed my way to a relatively square, flat opening. The extra length on the block was very helpful to avoid blowing out the sidewalls while leveraging wood out of the opening. I then used a 1/2" Forstner bit to clean up the bottom a bit. Striking this surface gave a more hollow sound than before, but only marginally. The striking surface was still too thick.
I clamped the block flat on my workbench and hand-planed the typical rounded top we are accustomed to seeing on wood blocks. Followed by sanding with a random-orbit sander gave me the near-finished product. These actions served to also remove a lot of wood from the top. The finished thickness is in the 1/8" area, tapering to about 1/16" near the front edge. I don't have calipers that will reach inside to get an accurate measurement.
I ripped a little wood off the back of the block (the side opposite the opening), then crosscut the two ends off. I probably should have left room to drill some mounting holes, but I like to play wood blocks, whenever possible, while they are resting on a padded table.
I will try and post a video of the sound of the new block. It sounds pretty good!
Josh
Here is my wood block comparison. It's highly scientific.
[ame]https://youtu.be/HqgsAKV6t6w[/ame]
I've been making custom woodblocks for about 12 years now...
Josh: Way to go , my friend! What a great job!
nittanyperc: Your wood blocks are simply beautiful, sir! I'll bet they sound amazing! Wow!
Compared to the products you guys have constructed, my block, although far from finished, looks like a cross between a Dollar Store bird house and a Rubik's Cube! Oh well, I'm having fun! Maybe once everything is sanded and glued, it won't sound too bad. Yeah, maybe.
Brian
