Music boxes ?

[rjweb]

Good afternoon,

Has anyone made a music box, if so do where did you get the pattern, and also where did you purchase the music works, looking for ideas for Christmas, thx in advance, RJ

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

You can get music inserts from many different sources. Amazon is a big one. Woodcraft, Hobby Lobby, walmart, ebay is big too.  The more notes the more expensive. https://themusicboxcompany.com/purchase-musical-mechanisms/.   I made a few over the years but the last one I made was this one which I made into a pen box. I entered this in a pen turning contest and won this category.  I got this melody from an old Elvis statue I picked up at a yard sale many years ago. Took the works out and used it.

A far as patterns, the mind is your pattern maker. I am sure there are patterns out there. Check Steve Good or just do a google search.  

 

 

 

 

[kmmcrafts]

I'm not sure if Cherry Tree is still in business or not but I'm quite certain they had several patterns for music boxes.. 

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

How elaborate do you want to get. Rick and Karen had this book out. 

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/custom-wooden-music-boxes-for-the-scroll-saw-the-berry-basket-collection-revised-edition_karen-longabaugh/1846937/item/42128919/?mkwid=|dc&pcrid=77584467524595&pkw=&pmt=be&slid=&product=42128919&plc=&pgrid=1241348924126639&ptaid=pla-4581183930092993&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping+-+Low+Vol+Midlist+-+%2410+-+%2450&utm_term=&utm_content=|dc|pcrid|77584467524595|pkw||pmt|be|product|42128919|slid||pgrid|1241348924126639|ptaid|pla-4581183930092993|&msclkid=ea5126d184841d8056384e3838affa9b#idiq=42128919&edition=6527162

Speilman had a book too. 

 

Here

https://www.rockler.com/music-box-plan?country=US&promo=shopping&sid=V91211&msclkid=e70cf3149519122e7a169bfd293204c3&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=OG_BNG_PDSRCH_SHOPPING_NA_ROAS_PMAX_USA_NA_UNDER&utm_term=2333094955059436&utm_content=UnderSpend

 

Again you can get into real large music boxes and they play expensive components. There are large scrollsawn clocks that were designed to play music. They have turntable boxes that have dancing figures on them and play music. Man there are tons of patterns out there.  

The Berry Basket with Rick and Karen had other books like their Victorian music box collection. They also had a Holiday Scrollsaw music box book. Look for them. They have some extraordinary style patterns. Google is your friend. As I said you can spend as little as $10 for a simple one or $400 for a good quality one with 72 notes or better. All depends what you are looking for.

Edited October 11, 2025 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[OCtoolguy]

6 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

You can get music inserts from many different sources. Amazon is a big one. Woodcraft, Hobby Lobby, walmart, ebay is big too.  The more notes the more expensive. https://themusicboxcompany.com/purchase-musical-mechanisms/.   I made a few over the years but the last one I made was this one which I made into a pen box. I entered this in a pen turning contest and won this category.  I got this melody from an old Elvis statue I picked up at a yard sale many years ago. Took the works out and used it.

A far as patterns, the mind is your pattern maker. I am sure there are patterns out there. Check Steve Good or just do a google search.  

 

 

 

 

Thats beautiful J.T.

[JTTHECLOCKMAN]

2 minutes ago, OCtoolguy said:

Thats beautiful J.T.

Thanks. Just something else that floats through my brain. One and done. Eventually I will make a music themed pen to go with it. That is on my to do list.

Edited October 11, 2025 by JTTHECLOCKMAN

[BadBob]

I made a music box years ago. I didn't use a pattern. I purchased the mechanism and made a walnut box to fit it, using some brass hardware. About as simple as you can get. 

[kmmcrafts]

11 hours ago, JTTHECLOCKMAN said:

How elaborate do you want to get. Rick and Karen had this book out. 

https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/custom-wooden-music-boxes-for-the-scroll-saw-the-berry-basket-collection-revised-edition_karen-longabaugh/1846937/item/42128919/?mkwid=|dc&pcrid=77584467524595&pkw=&pmt=be&slid=&product=42128919&plc=&pgrid=1241348924126639&ptaid=pla-4581183930092993&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping+-+Low+Vol+Midlist+-+%2410+-+%2450&utm_term=&utm_content=|dc|pcrid|77584467524595|pkw||pmt|be|product|42128919|slid||pgrid|1241348924126639|ptaid|pla-4581183930092993|&msclkid=ea5126d184841d8056384e3838affa9b#idiq=42128919&edition=6527162

Speilman had a book too. 

 

Here

https://www.rockler.com/music-box-plan?country=US&promo=shopping&sid=V91211&msclkid=e70cf3149519122e7a169bfd293204c3&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=OG_BNG_PDSRCH_SHOPPING_NA_ROAS_PMAX_USA_NA_UNDER&utm_term=2333094955059436&utm_content=UnderSpend

 

Again you can get into real large music boxes and they play expensive components. There are large scrollsawn clocks that were designed to play music. They have turntable boxes that have dancing figures on them and play music. Man there are tons of patterns out there.  

The Berry Basket with Rick and Karen had other books like their Victorian music box collection. They also had a Holiday Scrollsaw music box book. Look for them. They have some extraordinary style patterns. Google is your friend. As I said you can spend as little as $10 for a simple one or $400 for a good quality one with 72 notes or better. All depends what you are looking for.

Berry Basket! that's what I was trying to remember the name of, LOL.. I have several of them as I bought the whole set of their patterns when they retired and was giving a huge deal on the complete set of their patterns.. That said I think Cherry Tree has the rights to some of their designs? I don't remember now but someone is still selling some of those patterns. 

[Scrappile]

I made one of "Winnie the Pooh" years ago. when my last grandson was born.  He is not learning how to drive!  Do not remember having a pattern.  I got he music mechanism off Ebay.  It has the Pooh song.  Pooh goes around and around. 

 

[rjweb]

Thank you one and all for your help,  I am going to order a couple of books and go from there, I have time but Christmas will be here before you know it, Thx again, RJ

 

JT nice looking music box 

[Denny Knappen]

You might want to check The Art Factory, Karen Boelman's site since you might buy Dirk's book