Here's the story: there is this Puerto Rican cat I know named Ray who often shows up with his congas at drum circles and open gigs. So one day he has this suitcase full of percussion shakers, scratchers and various noise makers, but one thing in particular caught my eye!  It was this long length of downspouting that he'd turned into a huge two-handed shaker!  He suggested I try it and said that it cuts like no other shaker! I did try it and was amazed!  I just HAD to build one. Actually I ended up building three in various lengths!  It's basically just BBs (like for a BB gun) inside a piece of aluminum downspouting. The thin aluminum makes it LOUD. The rectangular pipe has these ridges  that cause the BBs to bounce and rattle as you shake them over the bumps.  This thing really works!  Now here's how to build your own...

1. First obtain a length of rectangular aluminum downspouting. I found a nice length for free in a construction dumpster, but it's quite cheap at any bulding supply company.

2. Cut the pipe to length with a fine toothed hack saw. I made three shakers by cutting pipes of 4.5", 12" and the two-handed 18" "BIg Raymondo"!

3. Get a piece of particle board for the ends and place the ends of the pipe on the board and draw exactly around the the pipe with a pen. The pipe is wavy and full of bumps so draw carefully.

4. Using a jig saw cut out your end plates by following the lines exactly.

5. Hold the wood plugs so they are oriented to fit the pipe on each end and mark the sides toward the inside of the pipe.

6. Using a file, taper those inside edges so the plugs can be easily hammered into the pipe.

7. Mix some epoxy and smear on the edge of the first plug and hammer into the pipe end. Let set overnight to harden.

8.  The next day put 1/2 cup of Zinc plated BBs in the 18" pipe, or a 1/3 cup in the smaller versions and hammer and glue the other end in place.

9. When the glue is set, you can sand and/or paint to finish if desired.  See photo of results below!  This shaker can compete with a full out drum circle or cranked guitars! No mics needed!  This ain't some girlie-man plastic egg shaker!

Disclamer: The usual:  As-is Info!  I'm not responsible for any trouble you get yourself into trying to build this thing...