Hi Ramon, and welcome to your new journey. There isn't one source that
will teach you how to make a music box from scratch. In 1985 I was
asking the same question, but at that time there was no MMD. My first
stop was my local library where I found a book on barrel organs by
Arthur Ord-Hume. In the back was a list of references that included the
Musical Box Society International. Join the MBSI first! Then join your
local chapter and attend chapter meetings. Talk to people in the society
who repair music boxes and read books. My favorites are by Anthony
Bulleid on cylinder music box repair. He gives very detailed drawings
and descriptions of tooth dimensions and tooth/pin relationships. There
are other great books on cylinder boxes by Ord-Hume, and Graham Webb.
"The Silver Anniversary Collection" published by the MBSI has a lot of
helpful information in it. Also the "History Of The Musical Box" by
Alfred Chapuis has some great pictures and descriptions.

You won't learn everything you need to know from these sources. I think
maybe 25% will come from descriptions in books, 25% from looking at
pictures and examining actual music boxes, 25% from talking to people
who know what you want to know, and 25% from your imagination. Yes, some
things no one will be able to tell you, or they will be able to tell you
ways to do things that don't relate to what you can do in your own shop.
Every part of the work can be done in SOMEONE'S shop somewhere, but
you'll only have access to their information, and not their equipment.
You'll have to figure out a way to adapt everything you learn to what
YOU can do with YOUR equipment.

The last (or perhaps the first) thing to consider is the equipment
you'll need. A metal lathe, milling machine, and drill press are
absolutely necessary. A metal cutting band saw will make your life
easier. I wouldn't want to make the comb without a surface grinder, but
I've talked to those who have done it. You'll need a furnace to heat
treat the comb, and you'll have to study all about making gears and
properties of steel and brass. Then you'll need a basic woodworking shop
to make the box to house the movement.

You should count on spending many thousands of dollars and years of
study, and even that won't guarantee your success. Nancy Fratti (A great
source for small supplies and information) once told me that she has
seen a trained tool and die maker ruin a cylinder while trying to pin it
in one of her classes, and I would say that is one of the easiest parts
of building a music box. But don't let that stop you. There are a
thousand things that will stop you if you let them. That's why most
people don't attempt what you are contemplating.

I think at this point you believe it is possible because you don't know
what is involved the question is whether or not you will continue to
believe even after you understand how long this journey will be. It is
possible with the right combination of knowledge, determination, skill,
careful workmanship, and persistence.

Charlie Hind,

Honea Path, SC