A traditional Peruvian box drum or cajón is a versatile and compact percussion instrument.
Due to the various bass and snare sounds that can be produced on this type of drum, it can be a ideal in situations where performing with a full drum kit is not. The following is a step-by-step guide to basic cajón construction.
Step 1:
The first step in constructing a cajón is to choose the wood you will use. Hardwoods used in the construction of traditional acoustic instruments are always ideal, however almost any durable plywood can be used. In general, it is best to choose plywood with more than three layers with a presentable grain, and outermost layers that are thick enough to withstand several sanding passes. 1/2in plywood should be used for the top, bottom, and sides, 1/4in for the back, and 1/8in or less for the front. The wood used for the front should be very thin in order to facilitate vibration when struck. It is always a good idea to use wood harvested using sustainable methods. Dimensions for the drum will vary depending on the desired bias toward treble or bass. The front and back dimensions might be anywhere between 12 and 15 inches wide and 12 to 25 inches tall. The side panels should match this height, but may be an inch or two shorter in width. A good starting point for a cajón with a good bass response would be 20in x 14in x 13in.
Step 2:
After cutting the top, bottom and two side panels for the frame of the drum, use wood glue and clamps to join the pieces together. This process can be made more manageable by using corner clamps to join two pieces at a time. After this central frame, constructed from 1/2in plywood, is finished two 45 degree angles should be cut from scrap wood, and secured with wood glue, one third of the way from the top front of the cajón, just behind the front edge. A crossbar is then secured between these two pieces, using wood glue. A 14,” 20 strand, snare is fastened to this crossbar, angled toward the front face of the cajon. The front face of the cajón is then secured against this snare, using wood glue and pressure, to the front four edges of the main frame of the drum. After cutting a hole in the lower half of the 1/4in plywood reserved for the back of the drum, roughly 3/4 of the width of the cajón in diameter, it can be secured against the remaining four edges of the frame using wood glue and pressure.
Cajón without front panel
Step 3:
After the drum has been constructed it should be sanded by hand with medium grit sand paper or with an orbital sander fitted with medium grit sand paper. The sanding process should then be finished using a fine grit sand paper. The drum can be finished using natural oils if it is constructed of an appropriate high quality wood. Alternatively, wood stain and polyurethane can be used to protect and finish the outside of the drum.