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Camco Aristocrat Strainer Repair/Assembly/Restoration 101

Posts: 715 Threads: 59

I keep getting a lot of requests about how to repair a Camco strainer. Or just a simple "how does it go back together?". Here are some pics I took. I will do my best to guide you through the pictures. If there are any questions, please ask. I've repaired around 15 strainers so far and they work better than new in most cases after the fix. In some more severe cases I need to take the post/square shaft to a machine shop to either straighten the rod or in some cases install a new pin on the shaft.

Start by laying the strainer on a flat surface. (I'm assuming you can figure out how to take the strainer off the drum. If not, STOP and call a professional!) I also like to put the two screws back on the strainer until it's ready to reinstall. It helps keep them in a safe place

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1606.jpg[/IMG]

Next take the two screws out that holds the inner assembly.

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1608.jpg[/IMG]

Once the screws are out, carefully remove the guts!

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1609.jpg[/IMG]

Next remove the plate.

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1610.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1611.jpg[/IMG

1957 George Way BDP 26" concert bass drum
1959 George Way BDP 22/12/16 w/ 5.5x14
1959 George Way Green Sparkle 22/12/16 w/5.5x14
1961 George Way Blue Sparkle 20/12/15
1961 George Way Jelly Bean 20/12/14 w/4.5x14
1960’s Camco Oaklawn Champagne 20/12/14/16w/5x14
1971-73 Camco Chanute Walnut 24/14/18 w/5x14 COB
Posted on 12 years ago
#1
Posts: 715 Threads: 59

Now remove the post.

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1612.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1613.jpg[/IMG]

The last thing to remove is the compression spring. You can use the end of the screwdriver carefully like I'm illustrating or use a set of needle nose pliers. I recommend pliers as that spring can shoot across a room and you will have a heck of a time finding it again. And yes I've lost one or two in the past!

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1614.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1615.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1616.jpg[/IMG]

1957 George Way BDP 26" concert bass drum
1959 George Way BDP 22/12/16 w/ 5.5x14
1959 George Way Green Sparkle 22/12/16 w/5.5x14
1961 George Way Blue Sparkle 20/12/15
1961 George Way Jelly Bean 20/12/14 w/4.5x14
1960’s Camco Oaklawn Champagne 20/12/14/16w/5x14
1971-73 Camco Chanute Walnut 24/14/18 w/5x14 COB
Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 715 Threads: 59

Now that the strainer is completely disassembled you can now grind a new seat in the cam on the lever.

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1618.jpg[/IMG]

The tip of the nail punch is where I'm pointing to where the seat needs to be. You can grind the seat with either a stationary grinder, a hand held grinder or even a metal file. Just make sure the seat is not too deep or you will have problems disengaging the wires.

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1619.jpg[/IMG]

Now you can start putting it back together. I will say it's a bit tricky and takes some patience to do it. I like to put the assembly together and while holding it upside down, align the holes and then slowing start one screw and then the other making sure the plate is in the correct position with the screws going thru it's holes.

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1620.jpg[/IMG]

Make sure the cam faces outwards.

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1621.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1624.jpg[/IMG]

Holding the strainer upside down like this, align the screws.

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1626.jpg[/IMG]

1957 George Way BDP 26" concert bass drum
1959 George Way BDP 22/12/16 w/ 5.5x14
1959 George Way Green Sparkle 22/12/16 w/5.5x14
1961 George Way Blue Sparkle 20/12/15
1961 George Way Jelly Bean 20/12/14 w/4.5x14
1960’s Camco Oaklawn Champagne 20/12/14/16w/5x14
1971-73 Camco Chanute Walnut 24/14/18 w/5x14 COB
Posted on 12 years ago
#3
Posts: 715 Threads: 59

One thing to also look at is the square rod/shaft. It needs to be as straight as possible. Many get tweaked beyond belief. This one was straightened as best it could by a machinist.

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1627.jpg[/IMG]

I've also seen pins missing. The one pictured here is a replacement pin. The one pictured up above with the strainer parts is original. Can you tell the difference?

[IMG]http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x246/dolfan54/Drum%20Parts/IMG_1628.jpg[/IMG]

The one thing to remember is to take your time and make sure you have a clean work area. In the beginning it took me about 45 minutes but now I can repair a strainer in about 10 minutes from start to finish although I've had a lot of practice. GOOD LUCK AND HAVE FUN!

1957 George Way BDP 26" concert bass drum
1959 George Way BDP 22/12/16 w/ 5.5x14
1959 George Way Green Sparkle 22/12/16 w/5.5x14
1961 George Way Blue Sparkle 20/12/15
1961 George Way Jelly Bean 20/12/14 w/4.5x14
1960’s Camco Oaklawn Champagne 20/12/14/16w/5x14
1971-73 Camco Chanute Walnut 24/14/18 w/5x14 COB
Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 657 Threads: 119

GREAT work here!

blessings s/n

Posted on 12 years ago
#5
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

Excellent tutorial, Steve! Thank you...

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 12 years ago
#6
Posts: 662 Threads: 33

Agreed. Used this on three of my "difficult" Camco strainers and all now function properly.

Posted on 12 years ago
#7
Posts: 715 Threads: 59

From Antipodes

Agreed. Used this on three of my "difficult" Camco strainers and all now function properly.

Excellent, glad I could help! I love the Aristocrat strainer when it's working properly. Too bad that Camco sent these out from the factory destined to "pop off" whenever a serious back beat was played. Which in turn caused many Camco snare drums to be re-drilled for a Ludwig P-85. The wise ones used a Rogers clockface as it has the same hole pattern so no extra holes!

1957 George Way BDP 26" concert bass drum
1959 George Way BDP 22/12/16 w/ 5.5x14
1959 George Way Green Sparkle 22/12/16 w/5.5x14
1961 George Way Blue Sparkle 20/12/15
1961 George Way Jelly Bean 20/12/14 w/4.5x14
1960’s Camco Oaklawn Champagne 20/12/14/16w/5x14
1971-73 Camco Chanute Walnut 24/14/18 w/5x14 COB
Posted on 12 years ago
#8
Posts: 5356 Threads: 87

Excellent repair work. I love seeing stuff like this.

Glenn.

Not a guru just havin fun with some old dusty drums.
Posted on 12 years ago
#9
Posts: 611 Threads: 33

Doh ! bummer the pics are gone from this I am about to start this process soon .

Warning ... Avoid member statuscymbal here, vintage_collector on DFO , and americanpatriot10 on eBay. Email me for his name. All are the same shady guy who has burned me and a list of other members on both boards . He is also selling on Facebook too ..
Posted on 6 years ago
#10
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