How to Make a Hatbox Drum

Nothing stirs the hearts and stiffens the backbones of Continental soldiers like a rousing fife and drum cadence. Boys as young as eight were known to have run away to become drummers for the army. Often at the head of a troop contingent, these brave musicians took fire right along with their fellow soldiers, armed with nothing more than fife or drum. Read on to learn how to make a hatbox drum like the ones they used.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• One large round hatbox, about 15 to 24 inches in diameter
• Three feet of 6mm braided cord or macramé' yarn
• Two drumsticks
• Masking tape
• Gold leaf paint
• Red acrylic paint
• Black acrylic paint
• 1" Camel hair paint brush
• Clear silicone adhesive

1. Poke holes on opposite sides of the hatbox and insert the ends of the braided cord, tying a knot in each end to keep it from coming back out of the drum. Tie cord ends together inside the drum to insure they cannot come loose.

2. Seal the lid to the hatbox, using clear silicone adhesive in a well-ventilated space. Allow silicone adhesive six to eight hours curing time before you proceed. If you can smell the fumes, you do not have enough ventilation.

3. Paint around the top and bottom inch just below and just above the rims with a line of black paint, using masking tape as a line guide. Allow the paint to dry completely before proceeding. Do not smooth the masking tape down or it will tear the box when it is removed. After the paint has dried for 24 hours, remove the masking tape.

4. Paint the middle of the drum red, making a new masking tape line that covers the black. Allow it to dry for 24 hours.

5. Finish by painting the rims of the drum with gold leaf. Allow it to dry 24 hours.

Tips & Warnings

• Use clear silicone adhesive in a well-ventilated space. If you can smell the fumes, you do not have enough ventilation.
• Allow silicone adhesive six to eight hours curing time before you proceed.
• Do not use silicone adhesive in a closed space.

[Traqqer]

on 12/24/2008 Good idea!

[ursaminor]

on 11/28/2008 Clear, well-written, easy-to-follow instructions, as always! Thanks for another good article! 5 stars.