How to Make a Paint-Stick Stir Drum
Anyone old enough to safely use a handsaw can make this simple instrument in less than an hour.
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Things You'll Need
- Wood Glues
- 2-by-4 Boards
- Rubber Bands
- 8 Wooden Paint Stirrers
- Handsaws
- Sandpaper
- Rubber bands
Instructions
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Make the Instrument
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1
Cut the four corners off a square piece of a 2-by-4 so that you have an eight-sided piece of wood.
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2
Sand the rough spots to prevent splinters.
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3
Cut an inch off a paint stirring stick.
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4
Cut six more paint stirring sticks, each an inch shorter than the previous one. You should have a total of eight, including an uncut one.
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5
Wrap a couple of fat rubber bands around the eight-sided piece of wood and insert each stick in order of longest to smallest.
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6
Pull the end of each paint stick out so there is a gap between it and the wood.
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7
Sqeeze some wood glue in the gap and let the rubber band hold each stick in place while the glue dries.
Play the Instrument
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8
Hold the stir drum flat in one palm.
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9
Use an unsharpened pencil to lightly "stir."
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10
Experiment with the eraser end of the pencil or the unsharpened wooden end.
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11
Remember to hold the pencil loosely.
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