Sunday, January 31, 2021

How to make a kalimba with wooden springs

 
























Tools and materials I propose:

Table saw

Jointer planer

Chisel set

Air compressor, nail and staple gun kit

Cabinet Scraper set

Block plane

Countersink bits

Hole saw

Random orbit sander


In this video I make a kalimba out of beech wood. I tried to make it completely out of wood. As springs I tried various wood alternatives but I decided that I liked beech springs the most!


I begun by cutting my stock to size on the table saw. 


I then created half lap joints which I then cleaned with a chisel. 


Then I glued and nailed the frame of the instrument. 


I then glued two pieces to make the bottom panel. 


The top panel was much thinner so I used a wedge system to clamp it while the glue dried.


I then used my cabinet scraper to scrape off the excess glue. 


I the glued the bottom in place. Then I used my cross cut sled on the table saw to trim the excess wood close to the sides.


I then trimmed it flush with a block plane and hid the nails with wood filler. 


On a flat board I glued the top piece using carpet tape. I did that so i could plane it really thin on my planer.


I then glued the cleats under the top. I then shaped them with a chisel and a block plane. 


I then glued the top in place and trimmed it flush. 


Using a hole saw I made the air flow hole on the top. 


I then sanded the body.I also rounded over the bottom edges with a block  plane.


To make the bridge I cut some pieces on the table saw and I shaped them with a block plane.


To glue the bridge pieces I used the springs as clamps.


I finished my kalimba with mineral oil. 


As springs I experimented with popsicle sticks and bamboo sticks. Both worked. But I preferred to use some beech springs. Beech is a pretty flexible wood but also really hard. 


My kalimba sounds really interesting. Ofcourse it is not as loud as a metal spring kalimba but it is really sweet.


Anyway, I hope you liked this one, because that was it. See you soon with a new project video.



Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, that at no cost to you, I get a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

No comments:

Post a Comment