Just awesome, John. I'm really impressed and glad that you took the time and effort to save the drum and also that you made the videos to post as well. I know that you have lots of experience with this stuff, but you make it look not so scary for others like myself who would like to give these repairs a try. I mean, when you think about it, it's just mixing up the epoxy, applying it, and clamping, but you've got a lot of know-how and I appreciate you sharing it with us.

Please, when you get the drum put back together, make a vid of you smacking it a few times. Then, as I'm sure you will, show the whole set together. It's been an impressive restoration and I cant wait to hear the results.

John, hats off to you for taking the time to make this video. Heck, I can't even seem to slow down enough to take progress pics most of the time.

Nice job John. I wouldnt hesitate to do something like your repair there.

If I may make a few suggestions. When I do a clamp repair such as yours.

1st if its wood being glued to wood, I would use tite bond glue. After I apply the glue I get a 1/4" thick piece of wood on both sides of the break under the clamp. I would also put something between the piece of wood and the shell to keep from marking either side of the shell. I cover the protective piece with clear packaging to keep the glue from sticking to it. Then I would tape the protective pieces and wood pieces in place before I start clamping. One good clamp will do it if the wood pieces are thick enough, and cover the whole area being repaired. Just my 2 cents.

:2Cents:

Thanks for the kind words and comments.

Yeah, Titebond I, II & III are great glues, and I use them regularly. However, this particular repair was beyond the scope of typical wood glues. I didn't have any blocks close at hand and was not as prepared as I look. I used the epoxy as much for strenth and volume as to merely hold the wood together because there wasn't much to glue to itself. This particular epoxy gives a great volume, kind of like it expands, but not really. It's hard to explain this, but using epoxy is the way to go on many repairs. For you that want to argue about the sonics, we are not talking about large quantites, so, see below...

You have to realize, the shell was very much compromised, and I use epoxies because they are impervious to moisture, and the volume is much reduced. When you use epoxy to repair shells, and I am talking about the use where it is used to repair old areas of a drum that have hide glues or other types of organics, like horse hoof, you really don't get as good of a bond trying to go with the "original", like a Titebond.

My mother used to restore old furniture. She would use the organics only when she had the opportunty to clean all of the old residue away. You cannot get a good grip and bond when you are gluing crystalized glue to itself. Sure, It will hold for awhile, but it will work loose again. I want the repair to last. And I use very small amounts, so the arguement about changing the balance of the sound, come on, we are old, our ears cannot hear the difference, and we all know it, we just blow ourselves up and show off but I'm telling you, if your ears are that good at 40, 45, 50....come on...you kiddin', Willis.....

I use epoxy all the time. I uses tite bond when glueing wood to wood. Thats my preference, not because of the sconics of the drum, but from experience on glueing wood together. I restore furniture every day. I am 3rd generation in the upholstery business. I love experimenting with adhesive. I have experimented extensively with fiber glass over the years. I have stuff I bet you never heard of. I admire you. I just posted a pic on the gallery page, there is something in that pic that you will recognize. let me know what you think it is.

My pic is in the vintage drum section, not the gallery