Making a Kashaka / Kush Kash / Asalato - African percussion - Wood Turning Walnut, Paracord and Rice

Hi folks! In this weeks woodworking video I will be making a percussion instrument known as a Kashaka on the wood turning lathe. Other names include Kush Kash, Asalato, Aslatua and Cass Cass shakers. They are made from two small maracas joined by a string and often played with one in each hand.
Then length of the string depends on the size of the shakers and the players hands.
The instrument originated in West Africa and was traditionally made from large seeds from the Oncoba Spinosa tree filled with small pebbles or shells. Here I used a piece of butternut walnut wood, rice and a length of paracord.
The process was the same for each of the mini shakers so I filmed the first and turned the second off camera before coming back for rice and the glue up.
I had never played the instrument before turning one and it is a little tricky as you will see at the end. Although I feel like I have fairly good rhythm as a drummer, this one definitely has a technique and will take some practise but..
I've been thinking for a while about making a few different instruments on the lathe then using them to make some music.
One instrument at a time, it will take a while but I think it could be fun. Any turned instrument ideas you'd like to see, let me know in the comments!
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00:00 - Intro
00:12 - Butternut, White Walnut (Juglans cinerea)
00:21 - Mounting to the lathe a rough shaping
01:19 - Forming the join between halves
01:33 - Shaping the hemishperes
02:21 - Separating the halves
02:42 - Hollowing the first half
03:34 - Hollowing the second half and sizing the fit
04:22 - Drilling a hole in both halves for the paracord
05:05 - Final shaping of both halves together, sanding and parting off
06:30 - Adding the string, rice and glueing
07:57 - Sound check
08:44 - Thanks for watching!
Wood Turning a Percussion Instrument - Kashaka, Asalato, Cass Cass Shakers.
Wood Turning Butternut, Paracord and Rice?
*These videos are meant for the purposes of entertainment. Any attempt to imitate or copy what I do must be done at your own risk, my practices may not always be correct or the safest. You are responsible for your own safety while woodworking. Read and understand the operation and safety manuals supplied with your tools and machinery to ensure you are safe while using such equipment!

[@mountainviewturning5319]

Very nice 👍

[@tfturning]

Thanks Chris! 👍

[@teckle.turnings]

Brilliant Tim absolutely brilliant!!! 😃

[@tfturning]

Thanks Val, glad you like it 😁

[@AllenOxendine]

Interesting project, thanks for sharing. Full View and Like 👍

[@tfturning]

Thanks for watching Allen! 👍

[@AndysCornishCreations]

Hi Pog... A well turned pair of round boxes and then the bonus of a musical instrument... Great job... loved the bit at the end... Haha... Take care my friend...All the best.....Andy

[@tfturning]

Thanks Andy! It was quite frustrating to get a decent, steady rhythm going but I'm getting the hang of it slowly lol! Neighbours haven't complained about the noise yet either, which is a bonus! 😂 Cheers mate!

[@RayWhitbyCreations]

Very nice Tim, reminds me of some stress relief device from decades ago. As long as the string is short, wrists wont be broken...

[@tfturning]

Thanks for looking in Ray! I've picked up a few knocks from it so far but all good. Fun little instrument!

[@GaryGlass-DriftwoodTurner]

Great idea Tim, love it!!

[@tfturning]

Cheers Gary!

[@spindlesworkshop9744]

They are like kabangers Great job!!

[@tfturning]

Cheers Luie! Can definitely see the similarity, those things definitely look like finger breakers though 😂

[@MattsWoodshop]

AWSOME job Tim 👍. Loved the ending. I’ll be getting back to turning soon.

[@tfturning]

Cheers Matt!! That sounds good, I look forward to it!! 👍

[@sharkattack1979]

Very cool Tim love it 👌👌

[@tfturning]

Thanks bro, much appreciated! 😁

[@rustysmommy50]

Love to watch the artistry of fitting the two half’s snuggly together! Also love your quiet sense of humor!!

[@tfturning]

That's very kind, thank you so much! I wasn't sure how loud the shakers were going to be so I just went as thin as I dared, luckily you could still hear it! 😀

[@TazioCostantini]

Hi Tim, very interesting, I watched the ending several times, slowed down, to understand how it works😄.Nice idea! Bye 😊

[@tfturning]

Thanks Tazio! It is a little tricky to get the rhythm and tough to play slow with the swinging around 😂 Fun though! Cheers mate!

[@denisvienat849]

Salut Tim tu es comme moi tu aimes bien faire de l’original et en plus sympa. Bravo pour cette réalisation 👍👋

[@tfturning]

It is good to turn all different kinds of things, keeps it interesting! Thanks Denis!

[@copperowlwoodturning5929]

Very cool instrument, Tim. 😊

[@tfturning]

Cheers Rob! 👍

[@makermark1]

Fantastic project Tim! Well done mate 👍

[@tfturning]

Nice one Mark, cheers mate!!

[@oneturnatatime6309]

Nice one Tim! Unique and I love it!

[@tfturning]

Cheers Jojo! Now to make another for the left hand 😂

[@oneturnatatime6309]

What? You're not done yet? 😂

[@tfturning]

@@oneturnatatime6309 😂😂😂

[@ClintHitchcock]

Never seen one of those. Very cool

[@tfturning]

Cheers Clint! It will take a while to master but definitely a fun little instrument.

[@tendring_woodturning]

Sorry Tim, missed the premier. Like ya balls pal. 👏👏👏👏

[@tfturning]

All good mate and cheers! 😂🍒

[@MikeHolton]

Are you a musician at heart Tim? I love these and will be adding them to what I make for my grandkids :). How many times did you hit your thumb? 😂

[@tfturning]

Yes sir, played guitar for over 30 years, drums for nearly 20, technically woodturning is my 'bit on the side' 😂 Not gonna lie, i've hit myself a few times with it but not in the face..yet! Thanks for watching!!

[@GavSedae]

Mint mate! On my first try they would have gone through that window, definitley. Cheers laa

[@tfturning]

Cheers man!! My first go probably would have too, thought ahead and went outside haha

[@mpart_woodlathe-stuff]

Nice pair you have there Tim. Oh, and the jazz hands at the end ? Inspired, but unexpected. Lol! Keep the music coming. Take care. -Mike p.s. ocarina perhaps ?

[@tfturning]

Thanks Mike! I definitely need a tuned instrument or two, an ocarina would be a good option! I've been looking at flutes too, might be tricky tuning it to the right notes but it must be possible, right? lol Cheers bud!

[@mpart_woodlathe-stuff]

@@tfturning Shouldn't be too hard - they've been doing it for millennia - have faith ! Ooh a flute, can even be turned on a lathe ! 👍😎

[@agkwoodworks3136]

Very nice mate, keep it up 👍👍

[@hugomontalvo2599]

Very good

[@tfturning]

Cheers Andy, I'll try my best! 😁

[@tfturning]

@@hugomontalvo2599 Thank you!

[@WoodenItBeNice]

Great video mate and a superb fit on your balls. LOL. If you add another one you could become a Mexican cattle farmer as it would then be a Bola or Bolas. Enjoyed watching you turn as always. Take care mate. Cheers, Huw

[@tfturning]

The amount of different uses for balls on a string is crazy!!haha Thanks for watching Huw, cheers mate!

[@fatbellymarksshed4522]

Nice one, I don't know how old you are Tim but they are very reminiscent of a toy form the sixties/seventies known to me as wrist breakers called Clackers, made to teach you a lesson. Thanks Stu.

[@tfturning]

Cheers Stu! I've never seen the wooden ones until a quick Google just now but I'm pretty sure they had a 90s revival in plastic which I do remember. Those wooden ones look like finger breakers for sure!! 😂

[@DougMilleratWoodSpunRound]

Well done. Mind your thumb when swinging that ball around.

[@tfturning]

Thanks Doug! I've taken a couple of knocks from it but so far so good 😁

[@alun7006]

Nicely done! I'm assuming you saw that viral video earlier in the year?

[@tfturning]

Thanks Alun! No, I don't think so, what was that?

[@alun7006]

@@tfturning ahh - this was circulating widely a few months back: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHXFd4KAm8SSoNk

[@tfturning]

Oh wow, completely missed that one!! Looks like I have some new rhythms to learn!! 😂

[@MarkMcCluney]

Do you do that with with every instrument you find frustrating? I guess you better not take up the church organ. Of course, all percussion instruments look easy until we try them - Don Alias and Alex Acūna didn't paid for nothing. Cheers Tim, that was good fun.

[@tfturning]

Thanks Mark! I think the problem there was lack of playing experience rather than genuine instrument frustration, nearly hit myself in the face a few times, would probably get thrown down then 😂 Looks like a have a few new percussionist to check out! Cheers mate!

[@MarkMcCluney]

@@tfturning Oh I well understand. I might be the only person I know who has given himself a nasty cut on the forehead playing double bass. What a night that was... I know Alex played for Weather Report among many others, Don has played for everybody. Definitely check them out.

[@tfturning]

@@MarkMcCluney Sounds like a great night!! haha. Ah I know Weather report so i've definitely heard his stuff before. Cheers mate and careful with that bass!

[@MoleValleyMaker]

Nice one Tim! Unlike Ray though I think you need a longer string in case you need to actually hunt down your KFC Bolas style! 😂

[@tfturning]

Chicken wrangler!! 😂 Cheers Dave!