Winterization!

[Zajn]

Okay, I have no idea if anyone will know ANYTHING that can help me, but it's worth a shot. A buddy of mine bought my old kit off of me, and he recently contacted me about what he could do to keep it in good condition in the winter. The problem is that he doesn't have room in his house to set it up, so he has it set up in his garage, where there is no heat. We live in PA, so the winter's usually get pretty cold (though lately, I've been wondering...). I really didn't know what to tell him about keeping it in good condition other than making sure it's kept dry and doesn't get moisture inside the drum where it could freeze and crack. Any ideas?

Also: The kit is a low-end Cannon kit. I'm not sure what wood it's made of... it kinda looks like that stuff that's a mixture of a bunch of different woods? I can't remember what it's called...

[Lafirin]

well i had to move my kit up in my room cuz of the cold, and now my neighbors have said i cant play them cuz there going crazy.. i guess you gotta make sacrifices.. but thats a bummer cuz he just got his kit and hes probly real eager to play it. i really have nothing to suggest... my basment had a bit of insolation and capret on the ground.. so it wasnt that bad, but yea.. mabye some of these guys has some comments

[Zajn]

Ugh, man... that sucks you can't play your kit cause of your neighbors. I'm so glad I live in rural PA where I don't have to worry much about my neighbors.

[bongobro]

Okay, I have no idea if anyone will know ANYTHING that can help me, but it's worth a shot. A buddy of mine bought my old kit off of me, and he recently contacted me about what he could do to keep it in good condition in the winter. The problem is that he doesn't have room in his house to set it up, so he has it set up in his garage, where there is no heat. We live in PA, so the winter's usually get pretty cold (though lately, I've been wondering...). I really didn't know what to tell him about keeping it in good condition other than making sure it's kept dry and doesn't get moisture inside the drum where it could freeze and crack. Any ideas?

Also: The kit is a low-end Cannon kit. I'm not sure what wood it's made of... it kinda looks like that stuff that's a mixture of a bunch of different woods? I can't remember what it's called...

Hey, Zajn, welcome aboard!

Sounds to me like you've already made some great suggestions, especially about temperature changes and moisture. I'd also borrow a page from Lafirin and have your buddy put his new kit on some kind of surface (carpet or plywood at least) where it's not in direct contact with the garage floor.

[Zajn]

Thanks for the tips Bongobro and Lafirin. I'll relay these to my friend, and hopefully his kit can endure the winter with little or no damage!

[Lafirin]

lets hope

[1DrumBum]

There really isn't a lot he could do without insulating the garage. Take BB and Laf's advice and get it off the bare concrete. Carpet will definetely help. If he can, put it on a riser or something so there is airflow underneath it so the temperature of the floor will not effect the shells at all.

[bongobro]

Good call, my fellow hand-slammer!

I thought about it a few minutes and realized my drum store buddy keeps most of his sets on display risers (and for much the same reason; separation to minimize the temperature changes)...

[Lafirin]

and.. if you wanna go to the extrem. you could get a wood stove and cut a hole through the wall and make a chimmny and buy a chord of wood... lol but unless you dont have an extra wood stove, its kinda expensive. im just saying this cuz my dad always had an extra wood stove lyin around, probly not the same for youre friends case.. anways just a suggestion.

[Roaddebris]

Wooden musical instruments do not belong in the garage, and there's no such thing as not having enough room (IMO).

When dealing with heat/moisture issues, the most important thing is consistancy. You don't want radical or rapid changes in the temperature or humidity of the environment.

[Lafirin]

when i first got my kit.. i put my 6 foot long bead, out the window =D

[drum_chick]

[QUOTE=Zajn;50995]

Wooden musical instruments do not belong in the garage, and there's no such thing as not having enough room (IMO).

Unfortunately, there IS such a thing as not having enough room. Thank you everyone for your input. I really appreciate it!

I agree, I have no room in my condo for anything. My little HD-1 barely fits......

[Zajn]

Wooden musical instruments do not belong in the garage, and there's no such thing as not having enough room (IMO).

Unfortunately, there IS such a thing as not having enough room. Thank you everyone for your input. I really appreciate it!

[Kryshah]

Tell your friend to throw a heavy blanket or two over the kit also. It's only going to do some good if it's off the floor though. He may not be able to insulate the garage, but you can insulate the kit itself. It will act as a buffer to the heat gradient, and will heat up and cool down slower because of it, thus eliminating condensation. Alternately, this time of year, when days and nights are in such drastic contrast, dew may be a problem, that a blanket or two over the kit would also solve.

On an off note, I don't have my kit on a riser, but would like to build one, does anyone have any suggestions, for how high it should be?

[Zajn]

Thanks Kryshah! That wouldn't even have crossed my mind. Again, thank you everyone for you suggestions!

[Dawgkikker]

I just bought a kit and I put mine in the laundry room. I have a dehumdifier in there as well. In the winter I still run the dehumidifier and the heat from the blower motor in it keeps the room about 50 degrees. The room is about 14x14. Even when the wife has the washer or dryer running the humidity is low. With a garage he may want to try a small space heater as well. But like the others noted get it off the concrete first and foremost. Hope this helps.

[bongobro]

Tell your friend to throw a heavy blanket or two over the kit also. It's only going to do some good if it's off the floor though. He may not be able to insulate the garage, but you can insulate the kit itself. It will act as a buffer to the heat gradient, and will heat up and cool down slower because of it, thus eliminating condensation. Alternately, this time of year, when days and nights are in such drastic contrast, dew may be a problem, that a blanket or two over the kit would also solve.

On an off note, I don't have my kit on a riser, but would like to build one, does anyone have any suggestions, for how high it should be?

The risers I've seen at my buddy's drum shop are about four to six inches high...should be able to assemble them out of plywood panels and 2x4s or 2x6s...cover them with some sort of carpeting to keep them from scratching the drums...

[DrumRookie]

What everyone else said, especially about the elevation of the drums off the floor.

And if at all possible, it's best to find an area to keep them inside your house.
Or maybe spread the drums throughout the house, use the floor tom as a coffee table, etc...

[Pearl MCX Man]

What everyone else said, especially about the elevation of the drums off the floor.

And if at all possible, it's best to find an area to keep them inside your house.
Or maybe spread the drums throughout the house, use the floor tom as a coffee table, etc...

Don't know if you are aware but this thread has not been active in 5 years till you revived it again. Talk about a newbie. you should look at the dates LOL

[pastor_bob]

There's nothing wrong with reviving a thread, if you want to add something relevant. Who knows, maybe someone else needs to see it.

[late8]

There's nothing wrong with reviving a thread, if you want to add something relevant. Who knows, maybe someone else needs to see it.

I agree 100%....so much to cover so little time!!

[drummer]

There's nothing wrong with reviving a thread, if you want to add something relevant. Who knows, maybe someone else needs to see it.

I agree too.

[MartyM]

Zajn, what i would tell him is..."for a nominal fee he could keep them at your place with right to play" thats my story and i am sticking to it..

[Drumbledore]

Yeah, I don't mind old threads getting revived, especially when you learn something new.

Funny thing is that this 'winterisation' thread is being read here when us Sydneysiders are copping weather in the high 30's plus the dreaded humidity (lucky I'm in air-con comfort!)

[Pearl MCX Man]

Ok Sorry for living.