Send the shell in to Precision Drum Co. They are set-up to work with Vistalite shells. Better to trust an expert with a repair like that one.

John

I just repaired a seperated seam on a 24" Vistalite bass drum and the ends, from the bearing edge in about 6" met perfectly and the rest of the seam didn't even touch by about 1/8 of an inch, pretty good size gap. Not sure how that happened but I'll tell you this...I used Weldon 16 for the gapping areas and it did awesome. Weldon 3 did the rest and the repair looks really good and it's healed perfectly. Weldon 16 is much thicker which makes it actually workable and goes on thick enough that it stays put while you put the edges together. I was very impressed with that product. I've used the Weldon 3 often but this was the first time I used the thicker gel like stuff and it filled the gaps and dried up hard. It should cure your ill, it sure did mine!!

How did you physically work with the drum as you repaired it?

I mean, did you apply #16 and then force the crack into place? Clamps?

Curious to know your process...

I think my situation was different than yours. I just had a gap to fill but the sides were even to each other where I think yours are not? My shell was totally seperated so I was able to apply the thicker weldon directly to the one edge with the drum sitting on my lap. I then put the shell together and sat it on a bench on it's face (bearing edge on table) and put two sets of hose clamps banded together to circle the shell and snugged the bands. I had painters tape on the outside of the shell so that the weldon didn't just fall out the other side. It sets up fairly quick so that I was able to remove that tape before it actually set and it made for a nice seam. I then let it sit for 2 days before removing the bands. Like I said, I also ran some weldon 3 along the seam where they touched like they are supposed to. The weldon 16 set up hard and filled the gaps perfectly. I am going to add a picture to this posting here shortly.

[IMG]http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj507/Drumfactory/SDC12723.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj507/Drumfactory/SDC12724.jpg[/IMG]

the repair on the outside looks worse in this picture than in person but the alternative was a trashed 24" shell. That weldon 16 actually filled a large gap and made this drum full survice again. It's a very strong bond and am confident that the repair will be permanent. Very good product!!

[IMG]http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj507/Drumfactory/SDC12527.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i1265.photobucket.com/albums/jj507/Drumfactory/SDC12704.jpg[/IMG]

Your situation is different than a seam repair. You have an internally located crack with edges that do not meet up. It will require an expert who knows how work with Vistalite to do a good repair. I wouldn't attempt the repair and I've repaired a ton of vistas in the last 30 years.

Which is why I recommended that you let the pro's at Precision handle it. If -they- crack the shell, they're responsible for replacing it. If you screw it up, you're just stuck.

Call Andrea at Precision. Ask her what they charge for that kind of repair. They are set-up to work with acrylic shells and they know what they're doing.

John

100% agree on this. Very different animal!

Thanks for the pics and explanation.

I emailed Precision Drum last night after your first suggestion, Mr. Purdie... awaiting a response but still wrapping my brain around it in the mean time!

flower

Better safe than sorry... call again if you don't hear right back. They're busy over there.

John

Got this message from Precision Drum today:

"We do not repair acrylic shells, so I can't advise you. You could try contacting RCI which is the manufacturer of the acrylic shells that we carry.

Best regards, Gary"

I will try RCI, but in the mean time...The crack doesn't bother me as such, so I'm leaning toward fusing the extreme ends of the crack and leaving the unmated part as-is.

:Santa: