Vivi assembles a drum

[Slothy]

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e161/Vivi2372/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140618_121823_zps8efaa5b0.jpg (http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Vivi2372/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20140618_121823_zps8efaa5b0.jpg.html)

It begins again...

[Ayen]

I was wondering what all that racket was :p

I do love my drums, though.

[Pete for President]

Awesome :)

[Rantz]

Cool! Is that cylinder custom order?

[chionos]

Oh. I see now. Vivi22 assembles a drum, not Vivi. I was kind of curious b/c black magic is destructive not constructive, I wasn't sure how he was going to pull it off. But you're not black mage vivi.

So what kind of magic are you going to use to assemble this drum, Vivi22?

I hope that's not the final product because that's just a cylinder. You can do better than that, I'm sure.

[Slothy]

Cool! Is that cylinder custom order?

Not really custom order. I found a website that stocks Trick drum shells (http://store.trickdrums.com) and got it there. All of their stuff is made out of various metals though they make their full kits and hardware from aluminum. This shell happens to be 14" in diameter by 7" deep and aluminum. The thing rings like a bell when you tap it.

Just got it this week for my birthday, I'd bought the heads and a bit of the hardware before locally, and my order for the rest should be here this week. Monday if I'm lucky. Once I've got it all I'll do a run down of the hardware and do the step by step on assembly. I've got the layout for drilling the holes started already and I'm leaving the shell with its raw aluminum finish so it should go quickly once my package comes.

As for what magic I'll be using, only the magic of mathematics, a drill and a screwdriver. But the drill is electric so I suppose I'm basically harnessing lightning for this. Better be careful.

[chionos]

Oooohh, math magic is the best magic.

[Slothy]

Laying out the hole spacing on the shell is proving to be an even bigger pain in the ass than I thought. But I've found a solution. Just need to make a run for a new tool sometime this week (I love buying new tools. Tell my 10 year old self that and he'd laugh at you).

[sharkythesharkdogg]

I hear tell that the drum is completed, but I see no pictures. :(

I can't even play drums, and this guys can build and play them. Jealousy.

[Slothy]

Move to Canada and I can teach you to build and play drums, and we can work on cars together.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e161/Vivi2372/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_132612_zps5d7266e1.jpg (http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Vivi2372/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_132612_zps5d7266e1.jpg.html)

Here I am marking how far in on the shells I'm drilling the holes. I'd already marked the vertical line top to bottom using some masking tape and the combination square in the picture. I'd tried using a tailors measuring tape to plot the lines but wasn't getting accurate results. Eventually I just put the head and rim on the bottom and taped them in place, and lined the combination square up with the center of each hole while leveling it using the top of the shell. Worked like a charm.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e161/Vivi2372/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_133034_zps42fcb43a.jpg (http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Vivi2372/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_133034_zps42fcb43a.jpg.html)

Here's the holes marked off and ready to get to work. In retrospect I probably should have gone at least half an inch closer to the center since I just barely have enough room to tune the thing the way I like it without the collar of the drumhead hitting the lugs, but just barely enough room is still enough room. I'll leave more space with future builds.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e161/Vivi2372/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_134107_zps1bbb69b8.jpg (http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Vivi2372/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_134107_zps1bbb69b8.jpg.html)
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e161/Vivi2372/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_134126_zpsb044abe7.jpg (http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Vivi2372/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_134126_zpsb044abe7.jpg.html)

I used a center punch and my hammer to make a small divot where I needed to drill. It helped keep the drill bit from wandering on me.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e161/Vivi2372/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_134116_zps6569ba09.jpg (http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Vivi2372/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_134116_zps6569ba09.jpg.html)

This is what a man without a drill press does. Clamp it to the stairs in the garage and drill by hand. Maybe I'll ask for a drill press for Christmas.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e161/Vivi2372/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_152314_zps106b85d0.jpg (http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Vivi2372/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_152314_zps106b85d0.jpg.html)
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e161/Vivi2372/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_152308_zpsc81dde07.jpg (http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Vivi2372/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_152308_zpsc81dde07.jpg.html)

No pictures of me drilling since I only have two arms so it's time to move on to assembly. Here we have the snare strainer and butt plate attached. I'll probably locate the butt plate a tiny bit farther down next time.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e161/Vivi2372/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_133053_zps6df080c4.jpg (http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Vivi2372/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_133053_zps6df080c4.jpg.html)

Here's a picture of one of the lugs I used. Nice and simple.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e161/Vivi2372/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_155044_zpsaed4387d.jpg (http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Vivi2372/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_155044_zpsaed4387d.jpg.html)

The lugs all attached.

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e161/Vivi2372/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_161403_zps7787361f.jpg (http://s39.photobucket.com/user/Vivi2372/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20141005_161403_zps7787361f.jpg.html)

Final product all tuned up. I think it's easily one of the best looking snares I've ever seen. The brushed aluminum and chrome is just nice and simple and clean. And the drum sounds exactly like what I was going for. Sounds great and looks great. Can't ask for much more. And if the only problem is the lugs are almost too high up then I'd say my first build is a success.

Only problem now is I want to build another. :D

[sharkythesharkdogg]

That's a nice looking drum! I'm pleased it turned out so well for you.

[Slothy]

Your words. They are most kind.

[Ayen]

I want to bang it.

[Pete for President]

That's awesome Vivi! It looks very sturdy and precisely made. And like you said, very clean too :)

[Slothy]

It had better be sturdy. Drums are made to be hit and some of us hit harder than others. ;)

[Rocket Edge]

That's seriously cool.