How to Make a Bongo Drum

Learn to make a Bongo drum that plays like an instrument and not arts and crafts.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mahogany or Oak wood
• Table saw
• wood glue
• cinch straps
• sand paper
• hand files
• wood stain
• animal skin (no hair)
• wire ring 9 3/8 in. diameter
• wire ring 7 3/8 in. diameter
• 2 drum rings
• 8 bongo hook shaped lugs
• 2 base tuning rings

1. 
   Not using these calculations

   First, using a wood saw cut wood staves. To find the dimensions for your drums use this formula: head diameter x pi/ # of staves. The average bongo set consists of approximately a 7 in. and a 9 in. drum head. The size of the rings in the materials needed is based on these sizes. If you alter the diameter change the ring size. You need a ring 3/8 larger in diameter than the head. The bevel angle on your table saw is 180/ # of staves. So for 18 staves your angle will be 10. The drum should be 7.5 in. in depth.

2. Next, apply a generous amount of wood glue to each beveled side of each stave. Glue the sides together to form the circular barrel shape. Wrap a cinch strap around the drum to hold the staves in place. As the glue dries tighten the strap tension about once an hour. Allow shell to dry for 24 hours.

3. 
   Shell before stain

   Then scrape off any dried glue and sand down head and bottom edges to form a nice smooth edge. Use a hand file to curve the pointed edges inward. Sand the body. Finish with fine grain sand paper. Then attach drums to middle wood block. Use wood glue or finishing nails to secure shell to block. Stain and finish all pieces.

4. 
   Skin should look like this as it dries

   Now it's time to fit the head. Soak animal skin for 24 hours in a bucket of warm water. Cut 2 circular pieces out of the skin. Each piece should have a three inch overlap of the head diameter. EX: If your head is 9 in. cut the skin 12 in. Place the skin over the head and place the wire ring over the skin. Fold the skin upwards and place the drum rim over the skin with the excess still protruding upwards.

5. Finally after the skin has dried attach the tuning base and hook shaped lugs. Tighten the lugs. If you are satisfied with the sound trim the excess skin. Trim skin slowly and carefully with curved scissors.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember you will have to do each step twice, once for each drum.
• Needle nose pliers may help with pulling the skin up through the rim.
• The hardest part of construction is finding the right hardware. Check replacement parts.
• Wash hands after handling animal skin.