I will try the hide glue, kinda currious now and yes I did want more working time so that is a plus. QUestion remains is should I do what Mikey is saying? Im sure he is right but gee Il be honest, Im scared to take that shell joint apart because its pretty well still together. Im gonna leave the shell in my clamp jig for a few days and see if it will help, I really doubt it will but it will give me time to think.

Maybe put it outside, its like a steam box out there now! lol

Jeff C

I have done some reading on making a steam box. It sounds so easy I will do it. The only thing I am not sure about is steaming the shell with the wrap on it. The wrap will not allow steam to penetrate the wood on the outside. I think it will still work because most of the stress of the wood cells will be on the inside of the shell. My main concern is what will happen to the wrap (and badge)after being in a steam box for 20 mins( rule of thumb is heat one hour for every inch of thickness) or so at 212 degrees? Will it melt, fall off? Wonder if I should remove it, could I with out destroying it?

Biggest question, Am I just too worried about saving the origional wrap? Its blue sparkle, the most common of all. And it would be nice to wrap all of my Slingy shells the same. I dont want to wrap the bass and toms in blue sparkle to match the snare. I do have a 70s chrome Slingerland snare I can put with the shells I am about to wrap, but the shells are 60s so they don't go good together either. The coolest end result would be the 59 Krupa snare with the 64 shells all wrapped in WMP or something correct to thier age.

Jeff C

Jeff in the artical on NSMD Joe removed the wrap before the steam box was used. The shell was re wrapped with new wrap. He said in the artical the lug holes swelled up a bit and he had to re drill them to size. I can't find it there anymore either. I tried to register there but site said my email wasn't valid. LOL. ok. ;)

I'm curious on the wrap questions too. I'm not sure if the wrap would survive prolonged steam treatments. You could always take a piece of old junk wrap and glue it to a piece of maple then steam it and see what happens. It really sounds like you want to rewrap the drum anyway.

Thanks for trying to locate his artical for me. There is lots of info on the web about steaming wood and thats all I need. Good Idea to test a piece of old wrap first. And your right, I do want to wrap the drum to match the others but I think its best to try and save the originol. Maybe I will come across a 1964 model, thats what the other drums are anyway. Then just keep this 59 as a lone snare drum to add to the snare collection.

Im going to try and build a steam box next week.

Jeff C

I recall that NSMD article and I believe FFR is correct in his assertions. I specifically recall the part about the holes having swelled.

As to recovering, I tend to go against the conventional wisdom of vintage drum restoration. Blue sparkle was extremely common, and, to me, you will have done a much better thing for that drum to carefully repair the shell and then re-wrap it in a finish that suits the time period and your taste. On one hand you have a useless period correct snare and on the other hand you could have a fully restored, fully functional and great looking vintage drum. If you ever decide to sell it you will have some pretty great documentation of what was done to the drum. I say no harm, no foul. Your work always speaks for itself.

Thank you Mr. Lighting engineer from Tennessee , lol. Nice to know what tnsquint is all about. You make some good points on the saving the wrap issue. Certainly will have better results with the steam box with the wrap off. The thing is, the wrap is in such good shape I just hate to remove it. I will have time to think it over, not in any hurry with it. First I need to make the steam box, that will be fun.

Here is a question for you experts. Would you spray some lacquer on the inside of the shell when its all back together. It does'nt look like ther ever was a finish, just bare wood.

Jeff C

jccabinets

From what I have read from you in the past, you carry an advanced set of skills and knowledge in woodworking and repairs.....

Keeping the original wrap in good enough shape to re-wrap with may not be possible, but for someone with your skills, it would be more probable than for most of us........?

Might be an inspiration for us "fumble -thumbed-shade-tree-hacks" to sharpen their skills a bit, ya know?

Just fodder for the grist mill, here.

Thanks

Kev

:)

Thank you for the kind words. I would never consider the guys on this forum "thumb-shade-tree-hacks", I have seen some outstanding work. I do make a nice cabinet bit this drum restoring is still very new to me. I have learned a ton from the guys here and I am thankfull for their "two cents".

Jeff C

Oh man, that's true for a lot of cats round here..... but some of us (me!) pale in comparison when it comes to detailed, skilled woodworking......