I cut a templet from thin poster board and marked the lug holes, made a lap around the bottom end with 2" masking tape, positioned the template over the masking tape and marked the lug holes, carefully made a "divet" in the center of the mark so the drill bit (new & sharp) didn't dance from the mark at the initial penetration, and drilled from the outside in. Bearing edge inspection and template depth & alignment were important steps. I used a variable speed drill, carefully. ;)

not sure how common it is, but should be rather easy. Many people build drums from scratch, this is only half of the drill work

Don't forget the edge! Needs to be done by someone with experience.

Oh yeah, don't forget the vent........................

Absolutely do-able, but let someone skilled do the work. You could do more damage than you can g-fix. Find a pro drum shop near you or ship them somewhere.

Ive done this. First time was when I was 20. Turned out ok, except I burnt the wrap a little bit. Bearing edge was really good though, and the drum sounded fantastic. It was always the easiest to get to the sweet spot. Later I worked with a hand file on the bearing edges on the rest of the drums in that kit, and very lightly true sanded the edges to get rid of a few imperfections. The drumhead hid that burnt spot on the wrap. I kept that drum in the set for 26 years. I picked up an 8 and 10 concert toms six years ago when I was expanding my original drumset, and recovered them and added the resonant side lugs, with bearing edges. They came out great too. Much better than the first time, but theres a lot more experience too. No burnt wrap. I rebuilt a set of Rogers xp8 shells about 3 years ago and made a 14x14 floor tom from a raw keller shell, covered in green glass glitter, with 8 top and bottom lugs, swivomatic mounts and legs. And I cut the edges. I am very pleased with it, and them. Good bits, accurately centered starting points on the layout is crucial. For the edges, having the right router bit, and a pro grade router is ......well, without that and the knowledge to use it, just give up. It can be done, it does take a steady hand, and experience. Knowing what is going to happen before you have done it, ......can only come through experience.

[FONT="Arial Narrow"]Thanks all! I will be having either Matt Sinyard or Jack Lawton do this project. I definitely do not trust my handy work on this one.

Been a crazy hunt over the past year or so to find the 3ply shells in the sizes I want. I found a really cool 3ply clear interior 20 bass 6,8,12,14 concert toms 15 double headed tom, and 16" tom kit. This combined with my 16, 18, and 24" 3 ply shells will give me two 3 ply project kits (13,14,16,18,24 will be my main kit with a 12,16,20 fun kit)

The main kit will be finished in Blue Sparkle (Matt Sinyard) OR... I have been thinking about a tri-stripe Red, Orange, and Gold Sparkle...ala Tequilla Sunrise vistalites. Jack would nee to do that one (Matt is not currently doing stripes). Basically I wanted this kit to be as if I custom ordered it 1972-1974 (now I know that the orange sparkle is not in the catalogs, but I believe it was available for marching drums at this time??? Anyone know??)

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Matt Sinyard converted a Gretsch concert Tom for me and it is perfect. He has also recovered another 12 drums for me and they are also perfect. He checked the edges and trued where necessary. I am not familiar with the other guy, but it has been a pleasure working with Matt.

Gary

Dix Hills, NY