The saga of my vintage TAMA Superstar restoration

[Norske]

Thanks for shortening the learning curve if anyone here is thinking about refinishing a kit! LOL.

[Bish]

Robert, or anyone else who has wood finishing knowledge. May I ask you some questions about refinishing?

I have a Satin finished kit and am wondering, if I strip all the hardware off can I cover the satin finish with something like " superquick " to put a shine on it?

Will it mess with the satin finish that currently exists? I like the color and all, just like the lacquer look more.

Thanks for any advice.

[rmandelbaum]

I would go ask the the ghostnote forum. It is a drum builders forum.

My guess is it would not work as you want it to.

[Bish]

Thank you!

[rmandelbaum]

I have a list of websites that are drum building related.

We are not allowd to post comercial site here so I will not.

If you are interested in that list shoot me a PM, I am happy to share.

[Bish]

OK, sounds good.

Thank you so much!!!

BTW, love your web site!!

You guys should check out Roberts web site if you haven't already.

[rmandelbaum]

Thanks, I appreciate it

[treb 821]

Hands down to you Sir, I was blown away after going through this thread, I can only dream of doing something like this. I can imagine the hard work that you have put into this project, to get to this point. Gives me more reason to visit this site more often, been busy with work lately, Im sure it will look stunning after it is done with the "labor of love " you've put into it.

[Dustin]

Thanks, I appreciate it

Got to admit you have my respect mate. I would never have the confidence or bottle to attempt something like that

[rmandelbaum]

Thank you all for the kind comments and your interest.

A little update, yesterday I talked with Anderson International, they are the biggest Keller supplier in the US. I ordered 2 6" deep bass drum scraps. One is 24" and one is 22". I am going to use a hole saw and cut plugs for the tom mount holes. This should yield the best results since they will have the correct radius and I can even run the grain the same way.

[fiacovaz]

I have to admit that you have me thinking that I'd like to try making my own drum. I've been checking various sites to find shells and related hardware. One thing I've learned being a home owner is that material is cheap and labor is expensive. I've tiled floors, framed interior walls, run conduit and new electrical lines, dry walled, wall papered, installed toilet fixtures, sinks, faucets etc. etc. The work is time consuming but can also be theraputic in that it teaches skills I didn't know that I could develop and use. So, making my own drum...snare, to start with, doesn't seem that it would be to daunting a task. I am patient with projects like this and not afraid to tackle them. I wonder...

[Bish]

Frank, in thinking through the process, what probably scares me more than anything is drilling the lug holes. Some Machine would have to do that cuz I don't believe I would know where to begin with that process. Also, cutting a bearing edge could prove tricky. If for no other reason choosing the bearing edge you want.

[rmandelbaum]

Both are really very easy.

There are multiple ways to line up the holes. You can simply measure around the shell with a cloth tape measure to find the circumference then divide that total by the number of lugs.

also there is a great supplier out there that sells a hole layout template.

Then measure and mark your holes.

The bearing edge is just a router table job.

You can also order raw shells and pay to have them drilled and bearing edges cut for you.

[Lesizmor]

Check these guys out. I have heard great things about them!!
http://www.amdrumparts.com/ -Les

[rmandelbaum]

Well the posting was here at 5:03 pm central time ;-)

[rmandelbaum]

I made some progress today. Wednesday I received some base drum shells scraps. Today I spent some time at a friends house cutting plugs to fill in the tom mount holes and original spur holes. I am planning on getting some dowle tomorrow.

I will then plug up any unused holes.

Getting closer to paint time.

[rmandelbaum]

Well I got all of the holes parched up. I used a piece of birch drum shell I got from Anderson International to make the large plugs and used dowel for the small holes. They came out as I had hoped. I know there is no way to make it 100% invisible but I plan on covering with stain and these should blend well since they are the same type of wood.



Here is what the spur hole patches look like


And here is what the tom mount hole patches look like

[Bish]

Excellent job, Robert. That is so cool.

I'm glad it came out as you wanted it to.

[backtodrum]

It looks like from your pictures that they are going to turnout really well. Looking forward to seeing the finished drums.

[rmandelbaum]

Stain is next. I was going to shoot color but I think I will have more control over evenness if I stain. I can put it on a little heavier on the new pieces of wood in the patch and blend them better.

[Scooter]

This is STILL my favorite thread!

[rmandelbaum]

Here is a picture of the snare that I did not strip and the color swatches I made to figure out the closest color match for the rest of the kit.

I doubt I will paint before January.

[backtodrum]

Man, I am really looking forward to seeing that all done!

[rmandelbaum]

Me too!

[quikstang2]

Looking good so far. I can't wait to see the finished product.