Before starting to assemble your bongo cajon, you should carefully read through all the assembly instructions, gather together all the
requisite tools and organise all the components. It should also be noted that a good, level work surface will make the various steps of
the assembly process considerably easier.
Kit comprises
1 x assembly instructions
1
2 x side panels
2
1 x base panel
3
1 x top panel
4
1 x rear panel
5
1 x playing surface
(with MEINL logo)
6
2 x side battens
7
1 x base & 1 x top batten
8
1 x securing batten
for the snare
9
1 x snare
4 x rubber feet
15 x screws 3 x 20 mm
(for playing surface)
4 x screws 4 x 15 mm
(for rubber feet)
2 x screws 3 x 12 mm
(for snare)
10
11
12
13
Gluing the body
The first step is to fit and glue together the four panels making up the main body
of the cajon. The glue should be applied within the groove and on the outer
batten, see Fig. 1. It is advisable to fit these four panels together briefly before
the adhesive is applied to ensure that they are joined in the right order. To create the
necessary pressure for adhesion, the 600 mm screw clamps or the two belt clamps
must be used, see Fig. 2. Make sure that the panels fit together flush and at the
correct angle, see Fig. 2. Any excess glue can be removed with a damp cloth. The
glue must be allowed to dry for at least 120 minutes before the compressive force
is released.
Gluing the battens
The next step is to glue the four side battens on flush with the cajon‘s front sur-
face. You will need the screw clamps or glue clamps at this point, see Fig. 3. The
glue must be left for around 60 to 80 minutes to dry. In the meantime, the sound
hole can be sawn in the rear panel (the panel without the MEINL logo). You will
need to use the pair of compasses, the ruler, the fretsaw and the 10 mm wood
drill bit in the cordless drill or hand drill. You might find that drawing guide lines
as shown in Fig. 4 will help you to find the centre of the rear panel. The hole is
then drilled in the centre of the circle and will be used when sawing out the sound
hole with the fretsaw. Once the sound hole has been sawn out, it can be sanded
smooth with the aid of an abrasive sponge or fine sandpaper. The size of the
sound hole will determine the sound of the cajon. The smaller the sound hole, the
greater the bass component of the sound that the cajon will produce. The ideal
diameter is between 110 mm and 130 mm.
Tools required
› Wood glue
› 4 x screw clamps 600 mm or 2 x belt clamps
› 2 to 6 x small screw clamps, or alternatively glue clamps
› Cordless screwdriver, drill or hand drill
› Wood drill bits 3 mm and 10 mm
› Cross-head screwdriver
› Countersink
› Sandpaper, various grades
› Sanding block
› Fretsaw
› Pencil, pair of compasses, square, ruler
› Adhesive tape
› 2 x assembly blocks, approx. 25 x 25 x 300 mm
› Multiplex board (or similar) min. 310 x 455 mm
assemBly instructions
1
2
3
1
4
5
8
6
7
9
English
11
12
13
10
1
3
4
2
Bauanleitung Cajon A4.indd 4
28.08.12 11:01