ABS
Sectional Didjerido
Designed By Dan Bruner
([email protected])
These are the plans for a "Sectional Didj". Sectional for two reasons.
One is to best utilize the standard lengths that ABS can be purchased in, 5 or
10 pieces. The second reason is to create an overall smaller package to carry
around.
On the top of the page you will see six 5 ABS pipes that have been laid out in the
different lengths that you will need to create different notes. The letter in each pipe is
its note on the scale. The lengths that I calculated are very close, but if you plan
on tuning it yourself, make sure to slightly over-cut your notes so that they can be
trimmed down as you tune. You might notice that there are three head-joints in the
pattern. I did this to use up "scrap" that would have otherwise been thrown
away. Besides, youll want some extras so that you can make music with your friends.
The two fittings on the head-joint are glued with ABS glue, but the mouth pieces are not,
so that they can be interchanged and cleaned. The smallest mouth piece is used only to
help achieve the highest notes. You will have to decide for yourself when you need it and
when you dont. The next and larger mouth piece is always used and is only taken out
for cleaning. If you have access to a lathe, you will want to remove the hexagonal shape
from the mouth pieces. A rounded edge will go easier on your chin.
Finally, if youve gone to this point you might as well make it look nice. Acetone is
good for removing any manufacturers ink markings and a sanding block can be used to
clean up the rough edges on the note pipes. In order to identify the note pipes, I used a
letter stamping kit (normally used for metal), and it worked great on the ABS. It is
traditional to "dot-paint" a Didj with an image youve seen in a dream or
vision. My painting is based on a dream I have about flying. Since there are so many note
pipes, I kept my artwork on just the head-joint. I used acrylic paint, but haven't
finished it as you can see below. When I do finish it, I will clear coat it for
protection.
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