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Cigar Box Limberjack Toys by Wade Costenbader

Article, photos and video by Wade Costenbader of Victory Guitar Pickups. You can find more of his instruments and videos at Wade on Cigar Box Nation.

I believe limberjacks go way back to Europe, probably Irish or Celtic. The limberjacks I am most familiar with are Appalachian style... jointed, wood carved toys that bounce on what is called a paddle board.

Video: Limberjacks from Alan Lomax's "Appalachian Journey" documentary

A person would sit on this stiff, thin paddle board and hold the Limberjack with a long stick that was attached to the back of the figure. The person would then tap the board to make the Limberjack dance and make a percussive sound that could accompany musicians.

I used to make this style when I took my guitars to shows and it really helped draw in the crowd. I was looking at a pile of small cigar boxes a few weeks ago and thought," these would make a cool stage for my limberjacks." From there I thought, why not make the Limberjack dance without a stick running out the limberjacks back. Add a little more mystique!

I must admit just like building CBG's,they are addictive to build, but even more so to play with. It is difficult to walk past without giving the limberjacks a few turns.

I spent a crazy amount of time just scratching my head and figuring out the workings, At this point they take about 10-15 hours from concept to completion. I don't plan on making two that are alike.

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Permalink Reply by Wade on July 26, 2017 at 1:16pm

Thanks Dave. The boxes are secured shut, but maybe I can explain the workings. It's just one cog in there probably 1/4" for up and down motion. The wire from the Limberjack can't just sit on the moving cog, so I place plastic or wood over the top to ride over the bumpy cog. The wood or plastic can wear through, so I place a piece of metal over the wire wear spot to prevent a hole where the wire is riding up and down. I use a lot of paste wax to keep things moving freely and to avoid squeaks. hope this helps.

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Permalink Reply by Wade on July 26, 2017 at 1:22pm

https://youtu.be/UZnmgfNPfpA

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Permalink Reply by Jeff 'Bones' Reilly on July 26, 2017 at 2:52pm

So cool to see then dueling ,very clever craftsmanship .

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Permalink Reply by Wade on July 26, 2017 at 3:04pm

Thanks Jeff. Made mostly from scraps too small to be used for a CBG and a squarish cigar box. I like using Acid brand boxes because they are thick and sturdy.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Lynas on July 26, 2017 at 10:22pm

Thanks Wade. Great tips. I'm just working with the hooey stick so far. But sometime soon I want to try your method. Wow, the video of the dual is wonderful! You have it all going on! There's the devil in that box!

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Permalink Reply by Wade on July 27, 2017 at 1:45pm

https://youtu.be/fhf8EcbxBCs

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Permalink Reply by Dave Lynas on July 27, 2017 at 11:36pm

Wow Wade! I love your new busker's model. Great combination of methods. Banjo boy plays nice. The fiddle bow arms swing swell on the devil machine. Thanks again Wade.