Snare Conversion/Refinish Project (Pic heavy)

[lukesplat12]

Yesterday I found an old 12" tom in my basement. I decided it would be cool (because of this drum's surprisingly small depth for a 12") to turn it into a snare. I think it is 8" deep, which (IMO) is a great snare drum depth. My plan at this point is to peel off the wrap, sand for days (or months), and then stain to match the rest of my kit. I am 98% sure it is all luan, which is fine by me as it will match my kit. I have a strainer I can put on it, and one hoop I can use as the batter. I figure I can complete this project with $100. The one problem with the drum is the lugs, many of them are messed up (see pics below).





Note the second pic where that little thing is missing. What do you guys think? I can't find a badge on this and I assume it was part of a no name mij kit. Therefore, I don't think I will be able to find a replacement lug or two. Do you think it would be worth it to just buy new lugs?

Pretty Excited about this whole project!

[pgm554]

Yesterday I found an old 12" tom in my basement. I decided it would be cool (because of this drum's surprisingly small depth for a 12") to turn it into a snare. I think it is 8" deep, which (IMO) is a great snare drum depth. My plan at this point is to peel off the wrap, sand for days (or months), and then stain to match the rest of my kit. I am 98% sure it is all luan, which is fine by me as it will match my kit. I have a strainer I can put on it, and one hoop I can use as the batter. I figure I can complete this project with $100. The one problem with the drum is the lugs, many of them are messed up (see pics below).





Note the second pic where that little thing is missing. What do you guys think? I can't find a badge on this and I assume it was part of a no name mij kit. Therefore, I don't think I will be able to find a replacement lug or two. Do you think it would be worth it to just buy new lugs?

Pretty Excited about this whole project!

Actually those are generic 1980 Pearl lugs.

[link deleted - commercial links are prohibited unless advertiser - Tom]

[slinglander]

"that little thing is missing..." I think its spring is just jammed/stuck into the lug.
Get new replacement lugs.

[lukesplat12]

Indeed they are! Thank you so much!

[lukesplat12]

I think I will be ordering a couple of those lugs shortly. I hope the new ones don't stick out too much...

[Olimpass]

That little thing is just a swival nut. You can replace those easily if needed after removing the lug. (and spring if there's one in there) Sounds like a nice little project. Some lugs have the swival nut slide into place without a spring and have a plastic insert to hold them there. That is probably the most common lug there is out there. Replacements if needed are plentyful. If it's a 6 lug, you can pick up a 12" 6 lug snare side rim for like $13.

[N2Bluz]

Yeah, I think the threaded nut insert is just pushed down inside the lug casing. If you take the lug off, you should be able to pop it back out. If the spring or the nut insert is broke, you can just replace those. Those are very common Pearl knock-off lugs. I probably have a few extra ones if you just need a couple....springs and nut inserts as well. Free if you need them. Just let me know.

[SpazApproved]

yeah just take the lug off and you'll be able to get to the inside guts.

[lukesplat12]

Well, having taken some of them off, the two that are missing the threads aren't stuck inside, the threads are just gone.

N2Bluz, if you have two lugs with the threads still on there and working, that would be great. Thanks this would solve my lug issue!

[Olimpass]

Ok, yes it looks like the end of the swival nut just broke off.
You can bring the lug to a local music store and they'd set you up with some new swival nuts. Bring the tension rod to match up the threads. Easy fix, not expensive.

[lukesplat12]

Well, I have the inside with two coats of danish oil (similar to tung oil). I have bearing edges done. I have cleaned all the hardware that I already have. Today I am going to prep for stain and hopefully stain tonight. Trying to finish by next Monday!

[N2Bluz]

Just replied to your PM. Let me know and we'll get you fixed up with the parts you need.

[N2Bluz]

Just mailed 3 complete lugs. Not sure what your last name is, so I sent them to "Luke Splat". I get mail addressed to "current resident", so it should be fine. You should get them on Friday. See your messages for the tracking number.

[lukesplat12]

Thank you so much N2Bluz!!!

[longgun]

Just mailed 3 complete lugs. Not sure what your last name is, so I sent them to "Luke Splat". I get mail addressed to "current resident", so it should be fine. You should get them on Friday. See your messages for the tracking number.

Good stuff N2Bluz

[Olimpass]

Just mailed 3 complete lugs. Not sure what your last name is, so I sent them to "Luke Splat". I get mail addressed to "current resident", so it should be fine. You should get them on Friday. See your messages for the tracking number.

Thank you so much N2Bluz!!!

That was cool. Good luck on the snare lukesplat12.

[gdmoore28]

Luke,
If I were doing what you are doing in essentially making a "new" snare, I would replace all the lugs. We can't post links to businesses, but those lugs are widely available and cheap. I doubt you would have to invest more than $60 to get all new lugs. Then, they would all match and be nice, shiny, and sparkly. If you decide to keep the old lugs, just polish them with 0000 steel wool. This will remove all the tarnish, won't harm the chrome plating, and will not leave marks .This should be a fun project. Keep us updated.

GeeDeeEmm

[late8]

Just mailed 3 complete lugs. Not sure what your last name is, so I sent them to "Luke Splat". I get mail addressed to "current resident", so it should be fine. You should get them on Friday. See your messages for the tracking number.

Awesome guy! This place rocks!!

[lukesplat12]

GDM: That is exactly what I did, they look great!

[N2Bluz]

The lugs I sent should be an exact match. My only concern is strength. The genuine Pearl lugs are pretty stout, but most of the "copycat" lugs are notably thinner. It depends on how much head tension you plan on having. I like my snare heads like concrete. If the lugs start to break, you can always buy some new (and heavier) lugs. Bolt spacing should be 1.5".

[lukesplat12]

It will be a deepish snare drum, and I will tune it fairly loose. I don't think the lugs will be a problem. (hopefully, you got me a bit worried N2Bluz!)

[N2Bluz]

Sorry, didn't mean to worry you. As long as you keep it medium-tight and don't try to crank it down like a marching snare, you shouldn't have any issues. Just remember, you only have 6 lugs instead of 8 or 10....plus, they aren't double ended lugs which provide offsetting forces on the lug bolts. It probably doesn't make much difference......but it's my nature to overthink things, LOL.

[gdmoore28]

GDM: That is exactly what I did, they look great!

Good for you! Waiting with baited breath for more pics.

GeeDeeEmm

[lukesplat12]

Lots of progress has been made:

I decided to do a couple of coats of tung oil on the inside because there was a thread in here that said it was a good idea for luan shells. At Lowes there was tung oil, but there was also "danish" oil, which I had heard about from a friend who builds guitars and it was much cheaper. I ended up putting two coats of Danish Oil on the inside and it looks great.



Here it is after prepping for stain (sanded to 220, tape over holes and edges)





Since then I have applied two coats of stain, sanded (220), and I have put two coats of spray-on Polyurethane. I have tension rods, 9 lugs, 3 lugs coming from N2Bluz (thanks again, btw), a strainer, tone control... I am going to order heads snares and a bottom hoop soon. As far as finishing I think I am going to do one more coat, sand (220) until very smooth, and then one or two more coats. Holding one of my other drums up to it it looks like it will match well!

[Markadiddle]

I can definitely tell where you purchased the Danish oil from(Lowes?)

Looks good man. I can't hardly wait to see it completely finished!