Coopering and Making Barrel Staves

I used to make conga drums. It’s real hard to get right.

Coopering is a traditional craft done by hand and eye and
experience. Machines that make barrel staves are highly
specialized.

There are several alternative approaches. One is to pattern
cut the bevels and steam the staves as one unit held at one
end by a hoop and use other hoops and round clamps
to bend the staves and close the barrel.

Another method is to pre-bend the staves, then cut the
bevels on a big radial arm saw with a jig using linear
bearings to carry the stave through the angled blade.
This method was described to me by owner of
“Fat Congas”.

Some guys pattern-cut the stave bevels, steam bend the
staves and put them in drying racks, then assemble without
using steam or heat in the assembly process as per method 1.

I have something on my site that may help:

http://mysite.verizon.net/v.hayden/bucket.htm

-- Vicki on the Eastern Shore of MD

I would suggest looking through these blogs

http://lumberjocks.com/stefang/blog/series/3522

http://lumberjocks.com/mafe/blog/20676

-- We must guard our enthusiasm as we would our life - James Krenov

Buckets are not barrels. Buckets are easy, I have made a few but not barrels! A search should find the info you require. Places like http://www.ukcraftfairs.com/coopering.asp

-- In God We Trust