Science fair project Drum help

[imnotverygood9]

Hey guys, I would first like to thank you for being an amazing forum, and thank you for all the help you have given me. I have an engineering science fair project Idea to design a tom mount that has the least amount of contact to the shell without it being flimsy.
Any Ideas or thoughts would be welcome, but I want you guys to tell me about what you think is the best tom mount that has come out already, so I can get an idea as to what to model it after. Preferably simpler Ideas, but anyhting is welcome. Thanks!

[slinglander]

Just my one zany idea!

[drummer]

Dang Sling... were you holdin' out on us?

As to the OP, the RIM system was probably the first accessory to come out years back to set the standard for other copy cats like the Pearl suspension mounting system. They were both designed to suspend the drum and keep it away from the shell as much as possible. Not sure if that helps you or not.

[wolvie56]

That idea has some possibilities. It would have to be brand specific and made like that. Nobody is drilling holes through their shell.

[Zeta]

Snare stand?


I've always been interested in the idea of mounting to to bottom, like taking a rims mount to the bottom hoop. I haven't thought it through but thats a starting point.

[imnotverygood9]

Snare stand?


I've always been interested in the idea of mounting to to bottom, like taking a rims mount to the bottom hoop. I haven't thought it through but thats a starting point.

That is actually exactly what I am thinking about designing a RIMS system to the bottom hoop.
BTW, I have always wondered why manufacturers haven't put snare baskets as tom mounts. Might be an interesting Idea.

[kyle102565]

make sure it doesnt come loose, i like the idea

[Olimpass]

You know I'm clowning but this is cool...one tom does all.

[imnotverygood9]

Thanks for all the help guys! I've decided to make a mount that attaches directly to the rim with no shell contact, and have different holes in the actual mount to accomodate any kind of tom arm to the drum. ( I can't describe it very well, but it should work) I want to make it so that it can attach to any kind of rim of any drum, so that I can actually use it to increase the resonance of my drums ( I hate penetration mounts, especially with pearl tom arms, make my drums sound HORRIBLE) thanks for your help guys. BTW, Slinglander, that mount looks amazing. Maybe for another project sometime.

[slinglander]

This idea is a padded, adjustable basket with side mount in which the tom sits in the basket, resting against the adjustable, sliding pads(no metal to metal contact).Pads would slide around the lugs. The basket hoops would be padded and diameter also adjustable but not tight against the shell

[imnotverygood9]

This is my prototype design for it, I'll be cutting down the hooks because they touch the drumhead a little, as well as taking the rust off of the old hinge and painting everything to make it look cool. This is my alternative to those 20-30 dollar after market systems, it cost me about 8 bucks to make it, and makes the drum sing.

[NewTricks]

Maglev

[cole1paul]

Snare stand?


I've always been interested in the idea of mounting to to bottom, like taking a rims mount to the bottom hoop. I haven't thought it through but thats a starting point.

Actually people use snare stands for tom mounts all the time. The problem is that it actually sucks a lot of the tone out. They're great though for a hip look and a muted tom sound.

[Digital]

I can imagine that those hooks will scratch your rim pretty badly as you play. Each area supporting the rim should be coated in plastic or rubber.

[imnotverygood9]

I can imagine that those hooks will scratch your rim pretty badly as you play. Each area supporting the rim should be coated in plastic or rubber.

Yeah, that's something I noticed. During my redesign stage I'll be cutting down the hooks and coating them in rubber.

[late8]

This is my prototype design for it, I'll be cutting down the hooks because they touch the drumhead a little, as well as taking the rust off of the old hinge and painting everything to make it look cool. This is my alternative to those 20-30 dollar after market systems, it cost me about 8 bucks to make it, and makes the drum sing.

Very creative imnotverygood9. It looks like a homemade Pearl ISS mounting system found on their entry level kits. The main gripe I have about this type of 'claw design' is the amount of stress put upon the hoop. As I see it, if you shorten the hooks, you'll decrease their holding power by shortening the fulcrum area for the hooks.

If you're goal for the science fair project was to copy an existing mounting system by merely using household products you met your goal but if you're assuming you've completely designed a new system, I see too many similarites with the ISS design.



I've had the Pearl ISS mounting system fail on me several times. The issue for the failure in my opinion was due the flexing of the triple flange hoop as it tried to hold the entire weight of the tom with the short claws of the ISS mount. As the tom bounced up and down during playing, the claws loosened up and the tom fell off and hit the floor.



To avoid such future disasters, I use a second ISS mount located at the 2 o'clock position on the hoop as seen in the pic below. The tom sounds a little choked off with both claws bolted onto the hoop but better safe than sorry



Although I feel the Pearl Optimount system is not without some flaws of its own, is an improvement over the ISS design by far!


Pearl Optimount contact area with top hoop:

[Ricardo]

Snare stand?

My first thought, exactly.

[Zeta]

Actually people use snare stands for tom mounts all the time. The problem is that it actually sucks a lot of the tone out. They're great though for a hip look and a muted tom sound.

The thing is, do not tighten the snare stand. To prevent choking.

I use a vintage snare stand, the kind that the drum just sits on it and is not clamped in.

My first thought, exactly.

Maybe a clamp mount with a snare basket off of a cymbal stand would be cool.