It wasn't a stupid question... there are no stupid questions.
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Vintage drum forum
ask a question, get an answer
It's the answers that are stupid (no offense to any of the posters -- this is not intended to start a flame session). There are extremely limited rules about posting, and the guidelines about the topics/subjects are even smaller. Some of the concerns that were mentioned are a merely implied function/direction of the VDF site/community.
If there was clearer or more detailed rules then there would likely be fewer issues arising. If the forum section was called "Restoring Vintage Drums - Using only period correct parts, new old stock parts, original wraps stored in a secret vault for many years to make the drum exactly as it was delivered from the factory" then I'm sure you would have looked for a more suitable outlet for your inquiry.
There is a bunch of hair splitting about restoring as you have obviously have experienced. Most are stuck on only one simple definition/interpretation of the verb restore as: return to its original or usable and functioning condition
I saw your post as using another definition/interpretation of the verb restore as: return to life; get or give new life or energy
Not every drum needs to retain its original condition. I think it's perfectly OK to re-purpose or restore the drums to something you find far more useful. Heck Ludwig concert toms were cut with top/bottom bearing edges (see image) so that they could be used for either/or depending on the drum orders. So if even Ludwig didn't find a problem with it I'm not so sure why the membership does. Drums get re-wrapped differently (from orignal wrap) on a frequent basis but that doesn't seem to raise ire here.
Don't let the experience chase you outta' here.