Clubdate,
I acquired some Slingerland concert toms in a grungy off-white color. I got some white pearl wrap from Precision Drums to help them match my ‘77 Classic Rock set. As you can see from the photos, the toms didn’t have any trim on the bottom. They also came with a dark gray interior paint (they may have been from the Spirit line of Slingy’s). My intent was to rewrap them and leave them without trim, but I couldn’t help chipping the wrap on the bottom edge. Therefore, I decided to trim them.
The trim started out as plain aluminum flat bar stock from Home Depot. I filed a subtle profile on the stock, as illustrated on the piece of paper on one of the photos. In order to curl the stock, I made the three-wheeled bender you see in the photos (there’s probably a more elegant name for this device, but I don’t know it). I just adjusted the sliding wheel as close to the pair as I could and gently forced the stock through a few times. When that process came easily, I adjusted the sliding wheel in a fraction of an inch and repeated the process until the stock was close to the curl I wanted.
I recommend you drill and countersink the holes after “rolling” it so it doesn’t get caught in the rollers.
I sanded the whole bar to get a consistent brushed look.
Aluminum is a soft metal that works well with most common woodworking tools.
The ideal screws are called “oval head” screws. I was too impatient and used round head screws instead.
If you don’t have the means (tools, materials, ability, inclination) to make your own three-wheeled bender, pm me your address and I’ll send you mine.
Then again, if you don’t care for the look, never mind!
Josh