BoomBucket: the Boombox Bucket!

If you like boomboxes and you like buckets, you're going to LOVE BoomBucket! In fact, it's pretty hard not to like, unless you're the neighbors hearing Enya play for an hour straight from the street below.

But this is an incredible device for everything from roving dance parties, the youth center jambox, or even easy listening Enya-style. But it does have enough boom to be a block-bustin' super-bucket.

We have built SO many of these, and each one is completely fun and different. There are so many modifications and possibilities, so add your great ideas below! The original design is very much from the brain of David Selassie, and a big thank you to Kim W. for gathering all the parts together.

The details:

• What: BoomBucket!
• Time: 2 hours
• Cost: $115 (can substitute parts)
• Materials:
  • The full list with sizing and ordering locations can be found here.
    • 5-Gallon Bucket
    • 2 speakers with wires
    • Portable Amp
    • Lithium-Ion battery
    • Battery Charger
    • Mini Audio cord
    • Duct Tape
    • Electrical Tape
    • Screws, Washers, and Bolts
    • Sticky-backed Velcro
    • Webbing (or other handle material)
• Tools:
  • Drill
  • Jigsaw
  • Hot Glue gun (optional)
• Concepts: Sound, Electronics, Circuits, Sound, Amps, Electro-Magnetism

Have so so so much fun, and send pictures!

First remove the handle to your bucket. You don't want that clanging around.

Choose two opposing sides for your speakers. Measure the backs of your speakers such that you can screw-mount the front lip on the outside of the bucket, and have the rest of the speaker inside.

For the speakers listed in the directions, the diameter of the circle was 5.25", which just so happened to be the diameter of our roll of duct tape at that time.

Make a circle, then flip it over and do the same on the opposing bucket side.

Time to open your bucket up! Drill in to your bucket, to make room for the jigsaw to enter. Then cut your two speaker holes for mounting.

Place your speakers over the holes, and make four dots with a marker where the screw mounts will be. We find that it's best to mount the speakers upside-down so that the tabs are up for easy access.

Drill the holes, and then use a machine screw, a washer and nut to secure your speakers on. We've found that hand-tightening works well, but if you want, you can get a wrench or ratchet down in there to tighten if you want.

Next up is your amp! Place the amp on the outside to mark where your machine nuts should go. Take it off, then mount your speakers on a third wall of the bucket.

We've found that mounting these amps (as listed in the parts list) is best with the electronics side up. It makes attachment easier. You will have to learn where the on/off and volume switches are in bottom, but we think it's worth it when you have to deal with cords.

Mount it any you please, though!

Your lithium-ion battery will need to come out of the BoomBucket for charging, so we like Velcro for attachment.

A trick here is to stick the soft side on the back of the battery, and then layer the scratchy side over that. Then you can push it against the wall beneath your amp, and the velcro placement will line up perfectly. See the final photo for positioning.

Sidenote: We found this particular model of battery charges battery if you switch it in to the "On" position while charging.

Let's get ready to wire (no-soldering needed)!

Our speakers came with crimp-on cables, so it makes it quite easy. Cut them down so it is a little longer than the distance needed to go from speaker to your amplifier. We crimped on the wires, then taped them along the side, and inserted them in to the amp. This is to keep wires from getting in your way when you reach in to the bucket.

The battery has a cord that goes directly in to the amp, so connect those, too!

Next up you'll want to make a place to put your audio device.

We've made blue-tooth versions in the past, but for a convenient wired system, first up is to make a small hole in the bucket for your audio cord to go to. Connect one end to the input in your amp, and wire the other end of the audio cord so it come out your bucket.

Here is a duct tape pouch example for my phone, but you can do it with Velcro, phone-holders, or anything else depending on your use.

You are ready to bring the party, to boom the un-boomed, and generally merry-make wherever you go. You'll find that a fully charged battery can last for about 4 hours of constant music at a high volume. Yay!

There are many modifications you can do, but the next step has some tricks and mods, too!

Congratulations on your new BoomBucket pet! Here are some mods and care items to know about.

1. Decorate! You may like the whole Storm-Trooper-white-plastic look, but make it your own with some nifty decorations. Colored duct tape and stickers work great.
2. Re-enforce! The number one way that BoomBuckets become undone at dance parties is from a wire slipping out of the amp. There are many solutions, but a dab of hot glue there really does the trick.
3. Don't crank it to 11! The amp can make the speakers go a wee too high with these models. Keep the volume level at a 9, and you'll be able to dance hard
4. Make a mount! Some people have added attachments for bike panniers, others as backpacks! Ours just has a trusty webbing handle to be carried around.
5. Write with any troubles! We love talking about this stuff, so stay in touch!

Happy Booming!