Tools:

• Hacksaw/ Japanese handsaw 

• Drill 

• Ruler

 

Materials:

• 7 x 1m length PVC piping (50mm diameter)

• 1 x 10mm length PVC piping (50mm diameter)

• 15 x male-female (or female-female) 88degree connectors (50mm) 

• 1 x female-female 88degree connector (50mm) 

• 1 x 955mm length wood plank

• 1 x 750mm length wood plank

• 16 x 250mm length elastic rope

• Thongs

• Painter’s tape (optional) 

 

Steps: 

1. Take a 1m length of PVC piping and place one male-female connector on one end and place one female-female connector on the other end. 

2. Take the 100mm PVC piping and place it in the end of the female-female connector. This piping should now produce the note C when hit with a thong. 

3. Take another piece of PVC piping and measure 944mm along the length. 

4. Take the painters tape and wrap it around the PVC piping where the marking is to provide a guide when cutting. 

5. Take the hacksaw/ Japanese saw and cut the PVC piping where the painter’s tape is.  

6. Place a connector on each end of the piping. This piping should now produce the note C when hit with a thong. 

7. Repeat steps 3-6 at different lengths to create all the notes of the C major scale. Please refer to the diagram for the individual measurements (click on the PDF icon to download a high-resolution version).

8. On the wood, mark the positioning of the holes using a ruler and pencil. Please refer to the diagram for the individual measurements and hole placements. 

9. Drill each of the holes all the way through the wood. 

10. Take the elastic rope and tie loops around each of the pairs of holes. 

11. Thread the each of the PVC piping through the elastic loops.

12. Attach all of the connectors. 

13. There is an option to hot glue the PVC piping to the wood to stop some movement of the piping. However, if it is left not glued, the thongaphone is very easy to dismantle and put away. 

14. Hit the piping with a thong to make a sound. 

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Please note the PVC piping needs to be secured down to the cutting bench. This video was filmed during Covid19 and we did not have access to all the necessary equipment. The PVC piping needs to be secured in order for this step to be safe for student use. Please visit our page on safety for further information.

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Budget:

• PVC piping - AUD$81.83

• Connectors - AUD$29.60

• Wood planks - AUD$3.00

• Elastic rope - AUD$6.00/5m 

• Painter’s tape - AUD$6.48 

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These prices are based off products which can be bought new from a hard ware store. The Maker Movement encourages reusing and recycling older materials to reduce your impact on the environment and it is also a good way to reduce costs. A great place to visit in Sydney is Reverse Garbage and also ask your parent body and local community.