Cricket Xylophone Plan

Our Cricket Xylophone Plan shows you how to make a cricket that can really chirp out a tune. As it rolls, its legs bound up and down and its antennae double as hammers. Makes a great gift for kids, or they can help you out with the project. Full-scale patterns make the scroll saw work a breeze — just glue them onto the wood and cut them out. Chosen from among the most popular plans in the Woodworker’s Journal, this selection includes plenty of full-color photographs, a detailed exploded view, materials list, and step-by-step instructions.

Click here for Free Online Xylophone Sheet Music!

The following pre-made parts are available for this project: 7/32" Axles (21691) 11/32" Axles (21725) 2" Wooden Ball (21493) 2-1/2" Wheels (65805) 1/2" Walnut Buttons (20545) Note: if you intend to build this project for use by children, please make sure you follow current governmental safety guidelines for the country, state or jurisdiction in which you live. For the USA, current guidelines can be found at the Consumer Product Safety Commission website: http://www.cpsc.gov/ While efforts are made to design this plan to safety guidelines, no guarantee is made that this plan is current with the particular regulations or guidelines of your governmental jurisdiction.

Customer Reviews and Photos for: Cricket Xylophone Plan Average Rating: (3.5) (10 customer reviews) Add your review...

1) Submitted by Tim Duffy, from Jacksonville, FL on 2/15/2009 Customer Rating: I made this for my grand daughter's first birthday and was satisfied with the plans except the holes in the body and wings didn't line up, so I just filled the holes in the wings and glued them strongly to the body. I used a variety of woods, including spalted Maple for the body sides bubinga for the head and tail pieces amd red oak for the floor and sound bar supports. My daughter and spn in law were very satisfied.

2) Submitted by Bob Wilker, from Franklin, WI on 2/19/2008 Customer Rating: Except for an error in a hole location for the wings, the plans were excellent. I used maple for the body, Purpleheart wood for the head, rear and wings, and African Padauk for the legs. The contrasting wood colors made the final product a little more special. The sound produced was good except for one flat sounding bar. Arlo & Tate's Cricket (click to see full-size picture in new window)

3) Submitted by Mark Robin Smith, from Oklahoma City, OK on 2/18/2008 Customer Rating: Although the plans give adequate instruction, they fall short in at least two areas. There is an error in the drilling scheme for the wings and there is no instruction for drilling the angled holes for the antenna. Beyond that, the plans make a pretty nice project. I was unimpressed with the sound of the bars though, and ended up substituting bars I cannibalized off a mfg. toy. Whatever you use, it's very important how you mount the bars.

4) Submitted by Pete Slonka, from Boston, MA on 1/6/2008 Customer Rating: The plans for this project are easy to read and the full sized templates are handy. I photocopied the templates on standard 11x17 paper so I could make more in the future. There is one error in the plan so make sure to double check when drilling the holes for the xylophone bar pegs. Speaking of the bars, they sound amazing! The kids loves their gifts and I think they will last for years. I wish I had one of these when I was a kid! :-) One of the two clickets I made as xmas gifts using purple heartwood and zebra wood. (click to see full-size picture in new window)

5) Submitted by Bob Hills, from Scottsville, KY on 1/27/2008 Customer Rating: This was a very easy project to do, it was basically complete in about 2 days. The only complaint I have is that you don't know what other parts, beside the bars, are needed until you get the plans.[]The grandkids loved the toy! Cricket Zylophone in color (click to see full-size picture in new window)

6) Submitted by Alfred Myhill, from Fulton, NY on 7/23/2008 Customer Rating: All of the little parts needed should be available listed with the plan. Great grand children will enjoy it. But I do have to order all of the little parts, not sure I found all of them.

7) Submitted by Ken Sprinkle, from East Stone Gap, VA on 7/25/2008 Customer Rating: I will be making these for my grandchildren as they reach the age of toy accountablity (lesser destructive mode). That will give me time to order the other parts.

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