How to Make a Toy Gong
Music is the universal language. A toy gong is a fun musical instrument which is easy to make. A few simple alterations can change many household items into a toy gong. The toy gong is the grande finale to a musical ensemble and you can follow the steps below to make one yourself.
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Things You'll Need
- Safety glasses
- Gloves
- A drill with a metal drill bit
- Old metal cooking pot lid
- Brass or metal round serving tray
- An old hubcap
- Metal coffee can lid
- Old picture frame
- Grinder (for metal coffee lid)
- String or small chain
- Wooden ball
- Dowel rod
Instructions
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Choosing the Metal Gong
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1
Choose several different metal disks. You can choose from old metal serving trays, metal lids, or other round metal objects. Each metal disk will have a different sound.
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2
Hold the metal disk between two fingers. Pretend you are holding a dirty diaper. You want as much exposed metal surface as possible. Holding the metal disk with your whole hand will muffle the sound.
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3
Hit the metal disk with a wooden spoon or other striking instrument. Listen to the sound each one makes. You may choose to make several toy gongs for a range of sounds.
Making the Toy Gong
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4
Put on the safety glasses and gloves. You will be drilling into metal and the shavings can fly everywhere. If you are using a metal coffee can lid, grind down the lid so there are no sharp edges to cut the hands.
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5
Drill two holes into the metal disk. The position of these two holes is 10 o'clock and 2 o'clock, as though you were drilling the numbers on the face of a clock.
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6
Use a wire brush to clean the drilled holes. This gets rid of any remaining metal shavings. This also protects the string you use to suspend the toy gong.
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7
Tie two pieces of string or chain to the holes in the metal disk. Do not cut them off as you will be suspending the gong to the picture frame.
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8
Attach the strings or chains to the top corners of the old picture frame. You will want to center the toy gong in the middle of the frame. Your child can hold the frame to strike the toy gong. You can also lean the picture frame against a wall or other object for easier striking.
Making the Mallet
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9
Put on the safety glasses and gloves to drill a hole into the wooden ball. The hole should be big enough for the dowel rod to fit into.
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10
Attach the dowel rod to the wooden ball with wood glue. Let this mallet dry completely before using.
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11
Choose other striking instruments for other sounds. You can use wooden spoons, conventional drumsticks, or plastic spatulas. The choice of striking instruments can change the sound of the toy gong.
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Tips & Warnings
Always wear protective eyewear and gloves when working with power tools.
