DIY Music Boxes
According to MusicBoxes.com, although music boxes are not quite as popular as they were prior to the invention of the phonograph, music box companies still are found worldwide. Because of their nostalgic, sentimental feel, music boxes are great gifts for woodworkers to make. If you'd like to try your hand at making a music box, it's always best to have a plan for what you want before you start.
Wood Selection
When selecting wood for your music box, keep in mind how sound travels through material. The wood will be the magnifier for your music box mechanism, and so a softer wood may have a duller sound than a hardwood. Hardwoods are more durable, but softwoods are preferable if you plan to do intricate carving into the music box. Softwoods include cedar and fir, while hardwoods include cherry, oak and walnut. You'll be able to stain or paint your music box any shade. So don't choose the wood just based on the color alone.
Holding Mechanisms and Locks
You should include a mechanism to prevent the box from falling closed accidentally, particularly if the music box includes a moving figure, such as a ballerina, on top of the mechanism. This mechanism can be a simple dowel placed in a lever joint; when the box is opened, the dowel can be moved downward to prop up the lid. Locks will keep the lid closed during storage or transportation.
Keys and Additional Panels
If you want to maintain a more antique look to your box, consider hiding the key with extra paneling and extended frames. In the Victorian era, antique music boxes often had secret paneling where jewelry or other precious items could be stored. (This is why many music boxes double as jewelry boxes today.) So doing this preserves that idea.
Dimensions
A box larger than 6 inches by 4 inches by 3 inches starts to lose the feeling of delicateness most music boxes have. So don't go beyond this size if you want the box to appear dainty. Of course, a larger music mechanism will need to be housed in a larger box. You can make the box appear more refined and larger simultaneously by placing a mirror on the bottom of the lid, especially if the box also will store jewelry.
Decorations
Carve directly into the wood for your music box if you want to make sure that your decoration will not be lost. Items such as beads and shells can work, but they may come off if the glue holding them disintegrates, and paint can wear off over time. If you do attach anything to the box, keep it simple and light.
Music Mechanisms
The music mechanism is the part of the music box that actually plays the music. Although you want a mechanism that fits nicely in a small box, avoid mechanisms that are super small. These mechanisms break more easily because the parts are smaller and also sound quite tinny compared to larger mechanisms.
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