How to Make Taiko Stands

Taiko drum stands look the best when the wood appears unfinished.

A Taiko drum is a glamorous Japanese instrument played for ceremonies and festivals. These drums can get rather large and need a stand to hold them. The stands come in small, medium and large and are all made exactly the same. The differences are the lengths and widths of the wood and ropes used to construct them. Taiko stands have a lot of different designs and can be costly. When you make your own Taiko stand, you can save money and add your own custom touches.

Things You'll Need

• 4 pinewood pieces, 3/4 inch by 1 1/2 inch by 32 inch
• 4 pinewood pieces, 3/4 inch by 1 1/2 inch by 11 inch
• 16 drywall screws, 1 1/2 inch
• 2 bolts and screws, 2 1/2 inch long 1/4 inch
• 4 washers, 1/4 inch
• 1/4-inch-width rope
• Drill
• 1/4-inch bit
• 3/8-inch bit
• Phillips head bit
• Ruler
• Pencil
• L square
• Drum

Instructions

Small Taiko Drum Stand

1. Line four 32-inch-long pinewood pieces together side by side. Measure each one down 6 inches. Use your L square to draw a straight line across all four pieces. Do the same at 8 inches down from top.

2. Turn the wood over and repeat step 1. Then separate the wood into two equal piles. Line the two pieces of wood in each pile together side by side.

3. Take an 11-inch crosspiece of pinewood and lay it across the lines on the 32-inch wood, connecting both piles. Use the L square to make sure it lines up. Insert two drywall screws into the 11-inch pine piece with the Phillips head bit going through the outer 32-inch pieces. Insert the screws at both ends of the 11-inch pine.

4. Line up the 11-inch crosspiece against the lines on the bottom with the L square. Insert two drywall screws through the 11-inch crosspiece into the inner 32-inch pine pieces.

5. Turn the entire assembly over and repeat steps 3 and 4

6. Lay the entire assembly on its side. Measure down 16 inches with your ruler and mark. Drill a 1/4-inch hole at the mark. Drill a 1/4-inch bolt inside the hole. Turn the assembly over and repeat.

7. Measure in 3 inches from each side on the 11-inch crosspieces on one end. Mark the spots with the pencil. Drill 3/8-inch holes at the marks. This is the bottom of the stand.

8. Put ropes through the holes connecting the two sides straight across. Tie knots at both ends to hold the ropes in place. The rope length determines how wide open the drum stand will be. Make sure the stand opens to the right width to fit the drum.

Tips & Warnings

• You may choose to use sandpaper to sand down edges to give the stand a different look.

• The drum stand needs to fit the measurements of the drum. Adjust the lengths of the pine wood and rope according to how big or small the drum is.

• Be cautious when using a drill. Protect your hands if necessary.

References

• How to Build a Stand for Your Taiko Drum; Sir Ogami Akira, Daimyo of Clan Yama Kaminari
• The Wood Whisperer; Custom Japanese Drum Stand; Ger Tysk

Resources

• The Lonely Drummer: Miyake-Yatai Betta Combo Stand