BL Workshop

How to make a Kazoo





You can’t exactly lug your guitar and drum set on a campout, but sing-alongs really rock with musical instruments. A kazoo is the perfect answer.

You’ll need:

  • a piece of one-inch-thick hardwood, 4 inches long by 2 inches wide
  • two 1⁄2-by-4-inch roundhead wood screws
  • plastic garbage bag
  • sandpaper
  • drill and bits, up to 1⁄2 inch
  • crosscut and rip saws
  • screwdriver
  • scissors

kazoo1Step 1: Saw off a strip 1⁄2 inch wide.

Step 2: Measure and mark positions for three holes on top of the strip. Measure 13⁄8 inches from one end and make a centered mark.

kazoo2Step 3: From that mark, measure 3⁄4 inch in both directions. Clamp the two pieces of wood together to ensure drilled holes will line up.

kazoo3Step 4: Use a 3⁄32-inch bit to start the three pilot holes. Drill the center hole 13⁄16 inches deep and the outside holes 1⁄2 inch deep. (Wrap a piece of masking tape around the bit to mark where to stop.) Gradually increase the center hole’s diameter: 5⁄32 inch, 13⁄64 inch, 1⁄4 inch and then—by 16ths—to 1⁄2 inch. Redrill the outside holes 1⁄4 inch deep with a 7⁄32-inch bit. Drive the wood screws so the heads are beneath the surface.

Step 5: From the end of the base you began measuring from, drill a 3⁄32-inch pilot hole 15⁄8 inches deep. Gradually increase the hole to 1⁄2 inch, as before, creating an “L”-shaped airway between the base and the strip.

kazoo4Step 6: At the opposite end of the base, drill a 1⁄8-inch pilot hole at the center all the way into the blowhole. Increase its size to 3⁄16 inch.

Step 7: At the same end, drill a hole all the way through the strip for a leather thong.

Step 8: Cut a strip from a plastic garbage bag, 11⁄16 inches wide and 2 inches long. Remove the screws and lay the plastic over the holes in the base. Replace the top and redrive the screws. Smooth the entire instrument with sandpaper. (Wrap a strip around a piece of dowel to smooth the inside of the airway holes.) Apply stain or varnish.

kazoo5Bring the blowhole firmly against your lips and hum loudly into it. With your tongue against your palate, create sort of a “duh, doo, duh” sound. Practice songs from your favorite tape or CD, as well as some classic camp tunes. You’re ready to rock your troop all night long!

Comments about “How to make a Kazoo”

  1. Anonymous says:

    COOL!

  2. flying eagle says:

    i built it and it works great

  3. Haymac says:

    Thats very cool.

  4. crockid800 says:

    I thought this was so great, I copied the directions

  5. jjgbhvggf says:

    that is cheting

  6. jordan4762 says:

    Any1 Know Where Pedro Is (4 The Contest)?

  7. speedy says:

    the kazoo is a really cool item

  8. scoutsislife says:

    this is so cool
    i didn’t know you could also do it this way
    that is really cool

  9. JOJOBEAR says:

    IT is awesome

  10. hey says says:

    cool

  11. venom says:

    : ) thats cool

  12. fire scull28 says:

    it looks really hard

  13. Jt says:

    That is cool!

  14. TINTIN says:

    COOL!

  15. sawq says:

    very cool for a music lover-like me!

  16. xhero says:

    im makeing it now and i only need the screews and sandpaper, keep these cool ideas comeing BSA ty.

  17. mr.c says:

    thats great

  18. Victory says:

    I’ve made ten so far!!

  19. Jobear97 says:

    It looks cool and I’ll try making it.

  20. kwazi says:

    pretty cool :|

  21. ogo says:

    Your missing the point. It’s about making something . Anyone can go and buy something for that instant gratification fix, but that can’t compare with the feeling you get when you produce something with your own skill and intellect.

  22. shmevanipp says:

    pretty cool but u could just buy 1 4 five bucks

  23. ddm81 says:

    i could do that 4 4H

  24. Kenny876543 says:

    Thanks for the idea i’m going to use it on my next troop outing.

  25. Bubba Gump says:

    Wax paper works better than garbage bag!

  26. b says:

    it does not work

  27. Jobo says:

    Anyone know if it works?
    Add a comment when your done for the rest of us. ;)

  28. JKool says:

    THAT looks HARD!

  29. natitonic says:

    that looks harrd!

  30. nick90 says:

    that is sooooo cool I’m going to build it today

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