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.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Wood Glues
• 2-by-4 Boards
• Rubber Bands
• 8 Wooden Paint Stirrers
• Handsaws
• Sandpaper

Make the Instrument

1. Cut the four corners off a square piece of a 2-by-4 so that you have an eight-sided piece of wood.
2. Sand the rough spots to prevent splinters.
3. Cut an inch off a paint stirring stick.
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.
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.
6. Pull the end of each paint stick out so there is a gap between it and the wood.
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

8. Hold the stir drum flat in one palm.
9. Use an unsharpened pencil to lightly "stir."
10. Experiment with the eraser end of the pencil or the unsharpened wooden end.
11. Remember to hold the pencil loosely.