Wood Rattle

Hello, I´m a musican from germany and since a few weeks I´m also an uncle. So I had the idea to make a small rattle for my nephew.

I started woodworking only 2 months ago so I think everbody can realize this small project.

Have fun!

-a small piece of wood (You can use every wood you like but it can influence the sound. Harder wood -> brighter sound)

-a sheet veneer (you can mix different woods and colors)

-woodglue

-rice

-big drill (in my case 26mm)

-clamps

-ducttape

-sandingpaper 120 and 240

-router

-circularsaw

-bio wood oil

-scissors

-ruler

-pencil

-nail

-hammer

-paintbrush

-cloth

-safety goggles

First you have to cut your piece of wood to 37mm x 42mm x 17mm with the circular saw. Of course you can change this dimensions. Use your safety goggles!

Now you find the middle of the piece with the ruler and mark it. You can punsh this point with a big nail to find the position easier with the drill.

After this you are ready to drill the hole. Drill slowly with low pressure to reduce the risk of splitting the piece.

Use your safty goggles again!

Now we come to the interesting part: Making your own plywood.

Cut the veneer to three parts of 100mm x 50mm with the scissors. I used two pieces of dark and one piece of light veneer. The woodgrain of the parts should be 90° offset.

You can use more layers of veneer for a darker sounding rattle.

Aply the ducttape to two leftover pieces of wood (at least as large as the veneer pieces)

After this you coat the veneer parts with woodglue und place it between the two wood pieces.

Now press everything together as hard as you can.

Wait at least 2 hours before removing the clamps!

Now cut your selfmade plywood in two pieces of 38mm x 43mm.

Wear safty goggles again!

After this you can glue one part of the plywood to your prepared wood block.

Press it at least for 1 hour.

Now you can fill the rice in the hole. The amount of rice depence on your taste. You can attach the top plywood with a piece of ducttape and make a "soundcheck" to test it. You can also experiment with different fillings like small stones or washers.

If you are happy with the result you are ready to glue the plywood to the top.

Press again for at least 1 hour. Don't turn the rattle around in this time! Otherwise your filling material could stick to the pressed out glue.

Now trim the edges with the router. I used a 6.3mm radius router bit to get a nice haptics.

Use safty goggles and watch your fingers!

You have almost finished this little project! Finally sand the rattle and whipe it with bio wood oil.