some pictures would really help. i have some older Premier parts but there are a number of forum members who know a lot about Premier and may be able to help, better.

you use the term grub screw. i read that to be what is also called a set screw?

All of the British drums present a problem because of the numerous threading systems in use until metrication ,crept into the country. Sometimes getting a threadguage and actually measuring them, is necessary.

Good day,

Perchance you refer to the wire fixing arrangement shown in the linked photo?

http://s752.photobucket.com/user/dirtyboppa/media/P1110005_zps178658fe.jpg.html?sort=6&o=0

It is the earliest wire/clam interface I know of immediately post war.

One quick solution that may be suggested would be to replace the clams with the later version utilising a horizontal bar for wire attachment. I have tried this, it doesn't work.

Unfortunately these wires have long since been unavailable, sure you could probably find the screws from a specialist supplier. Therefore your best bet may be to adapt some currently available product, Stagg manufacture a set of extra long wires. They will be too wide, however with some judicious jiggerypokery I suggest they could be re-engineered to fit. A couple of accurately drilled holes in the plate at each end should suffice for screw purchase. Off the top of my head that would be my immediate (though hardly speedy) solution, apologies for a lack of better news.

I have three Premier snares with this arrangement, thankfully they all came Wirus Intactus so as to speak. Incidentally, the Premiers are not the only British snares with this problem. I have an Ajax of the same vintage with the same wire timebomb...

Spart

Thanks Spart---yes that is the set up. I have a set of Premier wires that are actually too long, but do have holes at either end that match the width of the clam holes. What is the chance of being able to unsolder the wires at one end, reduce length and resolder? Is it solder or is it another higher temp fixing. Thanks for advice

Hola drummerpb,

That sounds like a plan Sir. I do believe that has been done before with success in the case of re-soldering new wires onto extant RA wire tabs. Just a regular solder job I think, although I would admit to being terribly ham fisted with the iron. They never taught that sort of thing at school.

I have considered having new wires attached to one of my sets of Super Ace tabs. This service was at one time offered by Baskey Vintage in the UK at a cost of 40 quid. Don't know if they are still doing it though.

One thing to consider when doing your job... You might consider making the total length of the wires a shade shorter than expected. This may give you more life and room for tensioning, say 3 to 4mm. I recall reading online of a few complaints as to the length of the repro Royal Ace wires offered by Puresound, now discontinued. Apparently some gave very little room for tensioning before reaching maximum expansion point. Worth bearing in mind methinks.

Best of luck with your efforts...

Spart

Not plumbers solder, use sheet metal 60/40 Comes in a bar stock. 60% Tin,40 Lead !i

You`ll need 375 degrees to release the snare wires. It will drip. Same for re-attaching !i