Wood Blocks

I discovered that a set of wood blocks/temple blocks could be made out of different size and shape plastic tanks. One of the tanks came from a BMW intake manifold, another was the power steering reservoir off a Volvo. The other tanks are oil traps from a Saab Turbo and a Volvo S8O.

Here is the power steering fluid reservoir from a Volvo.

This is the vacuum tank off of a BMW intake manifold.

Here is one of the oil traps from a Saab Turbo.

Once the parts were removed from their respective cars, I cut the tops off of all the tanks. Some of the pieces had baffles inside that also needed to be removed. After all of this was done I was left with hollow plastic tanks with one open side, much like a cowbell. I made a mounting plate out of scrap metal brackets and added a 3/8" post so that it can be mounted in most percussion hardware.

Here are the completed wood blocks and the mounting bracket.

First Post

This blog will chronicle my attempt to create a functioning drum/percussion set up with only scrap car parts. I have been an auto mechanic for 11 years and a drummer for 17 years. It was a natural progression for me to combine something I do everyday with something I don't get to do as much as I would like. So far I have a pair of flywheel hi-hats, a full octave of pulley bells, oil trap wood blocks, and I am currently working on a washer fluid reservoir drum. This is a slow process, but part of the fun is not knowing what I might get in the shop this week, and how I might be able to use it. Once I have enough instruments completed I plan to compose and record some music. I would also like to re-create the music live in such a way that would allow the audience to participate and be part of the creative process.
I will be posting on each individual instrument as I finish them.

Feel free to let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions.

jordan