PROJECTS How to Build a Giant Abacus

Want a fun DIY project to try out? This step-by-step guide on how to make a giant abacus is easy to follow and comes together fast.

Okay—I know what you are thinking. You just saw this room last week.

If you missed it, you can see it here.

But in all my rush to share the new quilt I found and how I’m all about house baskets and simple ideas to make your room look lighter and brighter for summer, I overlooked something.

See that giant something on the wall in the back?

The thing hanging over the dresser?

In case saw the pictures and emailed me or messaged me asking what it is? It’s a GIANT abacus.

And in amazing news?

I DIY’d it and you’ll never, ever, ever guess what I used for the little things that you push across to count your chickens.

Want to make one?

Oh, good.

You’ll need these instructions. Here’s what I used and how to make a giant abacus.

(also—total aside—my number one bestseller from Prime Day is still on sale today for the lowest price I’ve ever seen. My mom bought it and loves it too!)

I wanted to build this giant abacus ever since I saw it in the Pottery Barn catalog years ago.  I knew that I knew that I knew it would be perfect in the house.

If only I could figure out how to DIY it.

I could figure out the sides and I could figure out the metal corners and I could figure out the rods in the middle, but I couldn’t figure out how to make the beads that you used to count with.

Giant wooden discs?

Too flat.

Giant metal washers?

Too un-round.

Giant beads?

Too round.

And then one day I saw these.

Fishing floats.

I know, right?

Can you believe it?

We have friends who are commercial fisherman and I saw these at their house when they were stringing up lines and almost had a come apart. They were the solution to my DIY challenge. Visions of that long-ago DIY giant abacus danced round my head.

So here is the project in all its glory courtesy of those fishing floats—how to build a giant abacus.

How to Build a Giant Abacus

Supplies:

13 feet of 1 x 4 pine lumber

8 feet of small dowel rods

30 fishing floats

metal L-brackets for the sides

dark wood stain

Step 1:  Build your frame

The frame is 42″ long and 18″ wide with a center piece that is 40″ long.

Cut the pieces to fit (or have your home improvement store cut them for you).

Nail the center piece in place.

Don’t nail it exactly in the center.

Make sure when you attach the center piece you have one larger side and one smaller side.

Step 2:  Make sure fishing floats fit

The fishing floats are styrofoam and the holes are different sizes.

You may have to enlarge some of the holes with a drill bit.

You could just buy a smaller dowel and save this step….

….but some of us are stubborn.

Step 3:  Drill holes to create the giant abacus

Line up the dowel rods and drill holes on both of the side pieces.

Drill a corresponding hole all the way through the center piece.

(Keep in mind….you have not attached the side pieces yet….so this makes it easier).

Step 4:  Stain frame and dowels with dark wood stain

I liked the look of stained wood, so I stained the frame with Provincial by Minwax.

Then I sealed it with a clear sealant.

You could also paint it or just leave it plain wood and seal the wood with a clear sealant.

Step 5:  Fit dowels into holes and attach side pieces

Thread dowel through center hole.

On the larger side thread four fishing floats on each dowel and two fishing floats on the smaller side.

Fit dowels into holes and attach side pieces.

This takes time and a little patience and lots of compliments.

Step 6:  Attach L brackets

Just like jewelry.

A project isn’t complete without a little accessory.

Attach the L brackets to all four corners.

The history of the abacus:

Now if you’ve been reading this entire thing wondering what in the world an abacus is and what anyone would do with a giant abacus and why they used to be an every day part of business—here’s a little bit more about abacuses and what they were used for.

If you know—you know.

1. The abacus is an ancient calculating device with roots that date back over 2,000 years. Used across various cultures and civilizations, the abacus served as a precursor to modern calculators and contributed significantly to the development of numerical skills.
2. The basic structure of the abacus consists of a series of rods or wires on which beads or counters are slid. The beads are arranged in specific groupings, with each representing a different place value. Users manipulate the beads to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
3. One of the primary purposes of the abacus was to facilitate calculations in everyday life and commerce. Merchants and traders, particularly in ancient markets, relied on the abacus to perform rapid calculations involving quantities, prices, and transactions. Its portability and simplicity made it an invaluable tool for those engaged in trade, allowing for quick and accurate computations without the need for pen and paper.
4. In educational settings, the abacus played a pivotal role in teaching mathematical concepts and fostering numerical fluency.
5. Beyond its utility in commerce and education, the abacus found applications in various fields such as astronomy, architecture, and engineering. In astronomy, for instance, it was used to calculate celestial phenomena and planetary positions. Architects employed the abacus to ensure precision in measurements and geometric calculations for constructing buildings. The adaptability of the abacus to different mathematical tasks made it a versatile tool for professionals in diverse disciplines.

I used to have the abacus downstairs in the living room.

But when I updated the bedroom for summer I knew it needed something over the dresser.

I tried a sign.

Fine.

Then I tried a wreath.

Sufficient.

It just needed something amazing. 

Something one-of-a-kind.

It needed a GIANT ABACUS.

And it happened….

….all because of a fishing float.

PS I tried to find fishing floats like this to share with all of you, but I couldn’t.

If anyone knows of a source please let me know.

Updated to add—you all are AMAZING!!!! So many links with fishing floats! Here’s one that was the most affordable.

You can see it here.

disclosure: affiliate links are used in this post.

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