How to Make Music Boxes

Music boxes are boxes that play music when cranked or opened and are popular gift items. There are a variety of styles of music boxes. The most important component of music boxes are the musical movements, which are mechanisms that play music when wound or exposed to light. Mechanical music movements are those that must be cranked to play music, and electronic music movements are those that play when they sense light. With a musical movement and a box, you can create your own music box.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Box
• Music movement mechanism (electronic or mechanical)
• Pen or pencil
• Screwdriver
• Superglue
• Batteries

Installing a Mechanical Music Movement

1. Unscrew the crank from the music movement mechanism.

2. Place the mechanism in the bottom of the box in a place where it is convenient to drill a hole.

3. Hold the screw of the mechanism against the bottom of the box to mark the point where a hole needs to be made.

4. Use a screwdriver to drill a hole into the marked position.

5. Place the screw of the mechanism into the drilled hole and screw the crank onto the threads of the screw of the mechanism from the outside of the box. Crank the mechanical mechanism to play the musical movement.

Installing an Electronic Music Movement

6. Place the electronic mechanism into the box in a place where it is exposed to light.

7. Apply superglue to the flat back of the mechanism, coating it well so that it will stick properly.

8. Press the glue-coated back of the mechanism to the box to glue it in place.

9. Flip the tiny switch of the electronic mechanism to "On," or install batteries if needed, depending upon the type of electronic mechanism you purchased.

10. Test your electronic movement by opening the box; music should start to play upon opening of the box when the electronic mechanism senses light.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase pre-programmed music movements or ones with a variety of notes that you can customize to play in the tune that you choose.
• Beware of damaging your wooden box when installing music movements.

References

• Bear Woods Music Movements
• National Artcraft Music Movements
• Music Boxes and Musical Gifts