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Octagon 3 Tray Set

so, I do not personally care for the square shape so much, so I ordered these from -big box hobby store website-.com

Here is a couple of videos, you cannot really hear the 'tom tom' sound they make when you tap on them, but they have a pretty good sound.

I didnt catch it in the video, but they are 1.5" (1 1/2), 1.625" (1 5/8), 1.75" (1 3/4), not very deep. I may buy another set and fasten them together to be twice as thick. I might cut them down, so they are not quite twice as thick, whatever works. I may also get some veneer and cut it to shape and glue it over the bodies I have now. For $10, I think I did ok. It is basically the same as building any other CBG, but I will get a shape I like. These seem to be very similar in size to other cigar boxes available, only not as deep, so I think I will be ok for adapting most plans. There is also a 'boat shaped shelf' and a wooden flower pot, Id like to use as a resonator for an upright bass or 'cello'.

The smallest I think a viola or fiddle, the middle a guitar and the largest maybe a bass, though I think for that, it really needs to be double thick.

I cant do much at the moment to get other parts, but I will probably start tracing over stencils for wood burning, then mix up a stain of some kind to give them some color.

Anyone know where I can get 45 degree corner hardware? I may use some small hinges across the corners, or make something custom.

Anyway, I think these are a fine set of bases to get started with. I'll post again when I have more done or get more parts.

--Storyteller

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Comment by Rand Moore on April 28, 2014 at 6:03am

You might use them as forms to build your own home-made octogonal sound boxes of what ever depth you are wanting. Here are a couple of links that on CBN that may inspire you...

The first link talks about how to create an octagonal box frame by making 45 degree cuts (easier to do than 22.5 degree cuts) and is pretty interesting method. It was adapted from the mast making trade (mast for old time sailing ships). A belt sander is used to sand off the little extra bits of wood that remain after the glue-up.

The second link builds an octagonal frame and then rounds off the corners with a stationary belt sander to yield the round frame needed for a banjo. It includes the math for calculating the size of each trapezoidal block that will for the octagonal frame.

Hope this helps.

-Rand.

Comment by Storyteller on April 5, 2014 at 11:10am: that is exactly the boat shelf Iwas talking about. They are out of stock atm, so maybe my next build :)

Im pretty excited about the trays, I ordered a second set so I can make the larger ones deeper and louder for acoustic play.

I may need to have my own corner hardware cut.

Comment by David L. on April 5, 2014 at 12:07am: CB Gitty sells box hardware (including corners and hinges) http://www.cbgitty.com/box-hardware/
Searching on google or eBay for "flight case corners" often comes up with interesting corner protectors - I think it would be difficult to get them to reshape to fit the octagonal tray though.
I recall another member built a "Boatar" http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/boat-load-of-fun-on-newl...

This will be an interesting project to follow.

Regards,
David L