I bought a neglected RK set last summer and am starting to get around to getting it into playable condition. My goals are to make it playable and not do any repairs that will damage the integrity or collectability of the kit. First and foremost I want to play it. I doubt if it will ever leave my basement, but I hoping the sound will amaze me and elevate my playing.
When I got the set it was rescued from an old house that was falling down, so it was dirty, but thankfully dry, too dry, the wood hoops are cracked the re-rings in the snare are loose and can slide right out, there are several broken and cracked lugs, the steel hardware was corroded etc... not pretty but everything is there and seems repairable. So I far I've only cleaned them up and used simichrome on the hardware. I am thinking I should re-plate everything but the lugs and hoops, since I have the capabilities at work.
So starting with the floor tom, I still need to buy some Novus and polish the wrap, but want to address some other things first.
[IMG]http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u216/46chief/Oldscool%20Slingerland/P8101095.jpg[/IMG]
The Wrap is lifting, I also wonder if it lifting the ply it's glued to. What should I glue it down with, was thinking gorilla glue since it seems to work on everything I've need to glue together.
[IMG]http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u216/46chief/Oldscool%20Slingerland/ftomedge.jpg[/IMG]
Next up are the bearing edges. The areas around where the scarf from the plies are bonded, is porous and almost looks like it had filler previously. I was thinking I should fill some of this area in, with maybe a slurry of wood glue and sawdust, or just fill the area in carefully with superglue then sand it smooth.
There is also a darker harder inner plie that sticks up .5mm or so in places. It is high enough to catch my finger nail. I was thinking I could carefully sand the ridge down and clean up the whole bearing edge with a piece of 300 grit sandpaper.
Next where the lugs bolted through the shell the top bolt penetrates the re-ring and cracked and beat up the ring, I think I could leave this but... maybe some suggestions as to how some of you would approach this.
[IMG]http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u216/46chief/Oldscool%20Slingerland/rering.jpg[/IMG]
I'm probably going to ignore this but the inner ply is buckling and I was considering softening the wood with steam and then injecting glue with a hypodermic needle, then apply clamps and see if I can secure it, seal it, and stop the lifting.
[IMG]http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u216/46chief/Oldscool%20Slingerland/buckledply.jpg[/IMG]
Finally I think I should use some furniture wax and seal the whole drum especially the bearing edges. I think a wax is the best because it will protect against the humidity we have in WV.
Thanks for looking at all this and thanks for any suggestions, I've read a bunch of threads concerning repairs but before I do anything that can't be undone I want to hear some words of wisdom.
