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Bearing edges and out of square shells

Posts: 21 Threads: 3

Hi guys, any thoughts on my Ashton Maple shells needing a fix up on the bearing edges? Actually the bearing edges themselves are in mint condition, I bought the kit second hand, it is only a few years old and on fitting new heads found out that my 12" mounted tom and my snare drum seem badly out of square by between 3-5mm which seems like a lot. The problem with the snare seems to be a manufacturing fault, you can clearly see where the factory router has unevenly cut the inside bevel and left the edge quite high by a good 5mm. The tom is a combination of out of square & a poor routing job, not by quite as much but there's still quite a gap under the edge when placed on a flat surface. Maybe 3mm or even more.

I couldn't get them to tune up so thought I'd better check them and whamo! I couldn't believe it, I hadn't even considered they would be so badly out of shape bein so new and they haven't been bashed around at all, they look like brand new still so it does seem they have been like this from the factory.

Any thoughts?

Regards,

Nigel.

Posted on 12 years ago
#1
Posts: 639 Threads: 28

usually the bearing edges are leveled and then recut. . . James

Posted on 12 years ago
#2
Posts: 9005 Threads: 266

From FatherTime

usually the bearing edges are leveled and then recut. . . James

What James said and... up to 1/8th" is acceptable out-of-roundness - as long as the heads fit. It does 'sound like' (based on your description) that you may need to level and re-cut the bearing edges.

John

Too many great drums to list here!

http://www.walbergandauge.com/VintageVenue.htm
Posted on 12 years ago
#3
Posts: 486 Threads: 18

You can fix this at home with a little bit of sand paper, nice flat surface & a whole lot of elbow grease. If your shells are out of round, you have real issues...if the bead on your bearing edges are out, they can be corrected. First, check out the edge flatness by putting it on a flat surface, place a flashlight inside it & turn out the lights. You'll be able to see light emanating from the underside of the shell if the edges aren't flat. To correct this, get a surface that has been ground flat. Marble IMO works best & can be acquired from a local stone mason supply or even get a 1" thick piece of MDF (medium density fiberboard) from Home Depot or Lowe's. Get a can of spray adhesive & some 220 grit sand paper, spray the back of the paper & adhere it to the surface. After that, just move the drum (edge side down) in a circular motion until the light no longer shows thru the bottom edge, flip the drum over & repeat. If your bearing edges are way out of wack, get them re-cut...if there just a little out, just use a file or coarse sandpaper to correct. Just don't rush it!...keep an old head around to check the fit & go back to your flat surface to make sure your not taking too much material off. It sounds more complicated then it is...just remember the old carpenter saying, "measure twice - cut once". Always double check your work and go very slow until you get the hang of what you're doing. Depending on what type of wood/material your dealing with, this could take some time...but it's fun & afterward you have a sense of accomplishment!..."Hey, I did that!"

"Play the drum...don't let it play you" - Max Roach

1968, 1974 & 1984 Rogers Dyna•Sonic COB
1971, 1976 Slingerland GK Sound King
1973 Slingerland Festival
1920's-40's Slingerland (US Military) Field Snares (6)
19?- Ludwig Field Snare (US Marines)
1960's Premier Gold Glitter Student Snare kit
1960's-? MIJ Snares (way-way too many)
Posted on 12 years ago
#4
Posts: 21 Threads: 3

From FatherTime

usually the bearing edges are leveled and then recut. . . James

thanks, looks like this is what I'll get done, either by myself as per Mr Humungus directions or sent away.

They aren't out of round at all, so that's good news, they are just not square from top to bottom so you can see light under the bearing edge.

Posted on 12 years ago
#5
Posts: 21 Threads: 3

From fungus amungus

You can fix this at home with a little bit of sand paper, nice flat surface & a whole lot of elbow grease. If your shells are out of round, you have real issues...if the bead on your bearing edges are out, they can be corrected. First, check out the edge flatness by putting it on a flat surface, place a flashlight inside it & turn out the lights. You'll be able to see light emanating from the underside of the shell if the edges aren't flat. To correct this, get a surface that has been ground flat. Marble IMO works best & can be acquired from a local stone mason supply or even get a 1" thick piece of MDF (medium density fiberboard) from Home Depot or Lowe's. Get a can of spray adhesive & some 220 grit sand paper, spray the back of the paper & adhere it to the surface. After that, just move the drum (edge side down) in a circular motion until the light no longer shows thru the bottom edge, flip the drum over & repeat. If your bearing edges are way out of wack, get them re-cut...if there just a little out, just use a file or coarse sandpaper to correct. Just don't rush it!...keep an old head around to check the fit & go back to your flat surface to make sure your not taking too much material off. It sounds more complicated then it is...just remember the old carpenter saying, "measure twice - cut once". Always double check your work and go very slow until you get the hang of what you're doing. Depending on what type of wood/material your dealing with, this could take some time...but it's fun & afterward you have a sense of accomplishment!..."Hey, I did that!"

Fantastic, thanks for that, I'd like to try fixing it myself, luckily yes they are perfectly round but not square from top to bottom so definitely repairable by the sounds of it. Many thanks & I'l let you know how I go.

Posted on 12 years ago
#6
Posts: 21 Threads: 3

From Purdie Shuffle

What James said and... up to 1/8th" is acceptable out-of-roundness - as long as the heads fit. It does 'sound like' (based on your description) that you may need to level and re-cut the bearing edges.John

Hi John,

Thanks for the feedback, yes they are nice & round which is great but not square from top to bottom so that light trick on a flat surface definitely shows it up, the snare is quite drastic really with what appears a good 5mm or more gap where you can see the factory routing hasn't cut into the inseide of the shell as deeply as the rest of the rim. Strange, but fixable which I'm happy about coz they do sound really nice especially for relatively cheap brand name. Maple is maple I suppose!

Posted on 12 years ago
#7
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