New Antique kit

[pastor_bob]

Man, that last shot shows just how incredible those drums are going to look!

[signia fan]

Got alot done today, just does not look like it. Got all the burl onto one of the BD hoops, changed my technique a little with cleaner result. Oiled the tom shells, cleaned up the inner and also oiled. And I built a jig to mount the kick on the lathe, and have turned it down to a nice 19 7/8". Blew my belt on the lathe though. Too much weight for my little pip squeak of a lathe.

[signia fan]

Bass Brum hoops are inlaid


Bass drum is nearing completion

[atomcorr2]

cant wait to see these when they are done.

[NPYYZ]

Wow!

[HolyChina]

You should make a list of materials and tools needed to make ur owns drum shells I think it's a cool idea

[signia fan]

You should make a list of materials and tools needed to make ur owns drum shells I think it's a cool idea

Time, patience and money
Many think build your own means you save a bundle. After you factor in your endless supply of sandpaper, sanding pads, blades, finish products, hydro for the power tools, and on and on, well it makes you appreciate the drum companies who offer incredible kits for under $1500. Cause really, I could not compete with that.

[N2Bluz]

Words of wisdom^^^
I've found that scenario to be true for just about everything, from a pot of Chili to automobiles and now drums as well. It's the small unforeseen supplies that really drive the cost up....not to mension the time and labor. However, there is nothing quite like the pride and satisfaction of building something yourself. That has value as well.

[signia fan]

Words of wisdom^^^
However, there is nothing quite like the pride and satisfaction of building something yourself. That has value as well.

For me, that is it. I am a chronic do it yourselfer, for just about everything in my life.

[SpecialAnthony]

Stunning. Besides pictures, we're going to need sound files of the finished product.

Be proud, this is beautiful work!

[Drumbledore]

Aw man....look at the inlay work on those bass drum hoops! Awesome work.

[late8]

Breath taking results...can't wait to see more pics!! Thanks!

[SpecialAnthony]

Updates?

Surely he's finished and is already constructing something even more amazing by now...

[AKC75]

Man that's killer!

[signia fan]

Not much else yet, wish I was finished. I wanted to finish some tree slab tables to make room in the shop, then In order to spray the finish, my garage needed a complete cleaning, that is a couple day job. I re worked my dust collection system and have it cleaned, the main slab table is 90% done, so I should be spraying the finish on the kit this weekend. Pending nothing blows up or detours my action plan.

[Bish]

Very, very cool. Awe inspiring to say the least!!!

[NedgarAllanPoe]

This all looks incredible, can't wait to see the final product. The thought of building my own drums has crossed my mind before but I don't think i'd ever go into something like that.

[signia fan]

OK!! I am on the home stretch finally. I prepped the bearing edges, quarter round outer with a 45 degree inner. Then masked the bearing edges to keep clear of clear coat, edges will get a bees wax finish for the final pre-assembly. Over 2 days I sprayed on about 6 coats of automotive two part urethane with a little bit of flex agent to give the finish a little give.





Then all the holes for the lugs are drilled. I use a little hand made jig to keep all the holes consistent.



And finally the custom vents are cut in.



Now I need to wait a week or two for the urethane to cure enough for final wet sanding and polish. This is the tedious step for me, I hate hand sanding.

[SpecialAnthony]

whoa.

[SpecialAnthony]

When are you opening your own custom drum company again?

[signia fan]

I am afraid one off little projects are all I can afford. I can knock off a snare in a week, but a full kit like this is so much time and labour, I bet I have over 100 hours into this.

[signia fan]

Almost done. I have 12 close to complete, here are some photo's to show the progress

It always seems weird to take sandpaper to a clear coat finish, but the end result speaks for itself. Each drum gets wet sanded in stages to remove all the waves and dimples starting with 600 grit and going thru 800,1000,1500, 2000, and 2500 grits. Then with a wool buffing wheel on my angle grinder I use a couple stages of polishes.

[signia fan]

the assembly. I use loctite on all the lug fasteners, and do not skip by using cheap screws, allen head with washers are the way to go




After all this, the tension rods are too long and bottoming out, so it has to come apart, but still a few photos to show the final drum assembled.





Now repeat for the remaining toms and kick

[signia fan]

[late8]

A work of art! Thanks for the pics!