Cherry Kalimba

[Sean Dugre]

Here is a kalimba I threw together from a scrap piece of cherry and some aluminum stock I had hanging around. For those who don't know, a kalimba is an african percussion instrument also known as a "thumb piano". I made the tines from electrician's fish tape. It sounds surprisingly good and is easy to play.

[Mike Olson]

That is really neat. I need to throw one of those together for the kids. right after all my other little projects of course...

[Brad Westcott]

Man, I wish I had more time to play.

I am so buried in projects, I wonder if I will ever get to do something just for fun!

Nice job, by the way. And imaginative use of materials too!

Thanks for sharing.

[Ted Calver]

Nice!! I've had one since I was a kid and still enjoy the sound it makes :)

[John Thompson]

Very interesting build... I had never heard of one before your post. Live and learn...

[Chad Stucke]

Sean
Looks neat.
You wouldnt happen to have plan for this or rough measurements handy.
I would like to make one for the kids.
Chad

[Jim Becker]

That's a very kewel project!

[Van Huskey]

Very cool now I know what a Kalimba is.

[Sean Dugre]

Chad, I don't have any plans, but I measured it up for you. It's about 7" x 4-3/4" x 7/8". The dimensions aren't critical. To make it I resawed a piece of scrap, then hollowed out one half on the drill press with a forstner bit. After that, glue it back up and then square it up on the jointer. I think the front and back faces ended up being about 1/8" thick.

Here is a pretty good site to check out: http://www.kalimbamagic.com/
It will show you how to tune it.

[John Keeton]

Now, that is neat!! I suppose one could use contrasting woods, and simply glue up a hollow box. Maybe a walnut top/bottom, and maple bands? That would avoid the drilling, etc. The area where the mechanism goes would need to be wider to support the drilling, etc.

[Chad Stucke]

I think I will try to make one is the hollowed part below the tines also?
Or stop it before the mount.
Chad