Your Drum, Step By Step
We have been making ashikos for quite some time now. When people ask us how we make the drums, our usual response is magic and lots of sawdust. Much of what we have learned has been through trial and error. So while we cannot give away all of our secrets, we can give you the quick rundown of how we do our jobs.
The majority of the wood we use is scavenged or recycled. Anything from hardwood flooring, scraps from other woodworkers, construction site leftovers, and even dumpster scores. We will use pretty much any type of wood whether hard or soft.
Each piece is inspected to make sure there are no cracks, huge knots, or rot. Then they are cut to the length and width needed for each drum and run through a planer to assure even thickness.
Depending on the size of the drum, we calculate the top and bottom thickness' for the taper and the angle of the cut. Your math teachers were right. You WILL use it someday! Both the taper and the angle are cut at the same time on the table saw using custom made jigs.
A high quality glue is used along with pressure from worm drive hose clamps and ta da, we have a drum shell.
