Hello Green Glass

Some things I know a little about and some other things I don't

Thread size and pitch and all the rest I have no clue

I can tell you that finding original mij threaded rods

is the biggest pain in the neck with collecting these kits

I have several snare drums with only three or four rods per side

same with bass drums

the hardest are the floor tom rods

and harder still are the extra long rods needed for the little center lug kits

It is very rare to find them being offered all by themselves

much easier and often cheaper to buy a random orphaned drum to harvest what is needed

Any rods on snare drums made by Star should work well for a 60's Apollo

Thanks Kenwood

Hey you bet green glass drum..

a pm rather a whole thread would have been just as direct

I was a little surprised with finding my nick in the CAPITOL lettering lol

Star drums used a few different lug styles on the snare drums over their time

but I think the tension rods were all the same

Since this fellow needs all 16 tell him to keep his eye peeled for a Star made snare

Star (of course)Apollo, U.S. Mercury, Black Jack, Ideal, Lyra, Zim Gar, Ralston, Revelle Majestic,

champion, Stewart, Boston,

something that may be otherwise complete but with wrap issues lots of UV faded, black-headed, mottled stuff

something that needs a re-wrap or is just a common color

even if the hardware hoops and things are a little rusty the rods clean up pretty well with a wire brush on a bench grinder

I am not a fan myself of switching out the swivels to accommodate new rods

I do have some kits that have already been modified in this way

I tried it only once on a bass drum ..and I did not care for the result

Thanks sir.

PM next time or...... YOUR NAME IN LIGHTS.

Hi Kenwood,

I found this thread from the original post. I completely understand not wanting to modify the lugs in any way, but to find a donor drum. While this sounds good in theory, recent price increases from those selling these drums really seem to make it cost prohibitive.

I have many MIJ snare drums in my collection that do have all the original metric tension rods. Still, other mij snare drums were obtained with no tension rods at all; and all were metric. Because these drums were for my collection and 100 percent complete wasn't too important, I chose to tap the lug nuts to 12-24 from the original 4mm. I've never had an issue with less than perfect results. Just my :2Cents: on the subject! Still, I really value my MIJ snare drums that are all complete!

-Mark

Hello Mark,

You know you just may have the best solution to this particular problem

It never occurred to me to try and re-tap the original swivels

I was speaking of replacing the originals for swivels that are threaded for standard rods

in my case the new swivels fit the hole in the lug casing well enough

but did not lock as securely in place within the lug casing like the originals had

with your solution this not an issue

I do know that the metal used for the swivels is softer than the rods themselves

if you cross thread a mij lug most times the swivel is the part that is destroyed

part of the swivel ends up stuck (almost welded)to the rod but can be cleaned off on a wire wheel

I can not tell you how many projects I have here that are complete save for a shortage of original rods

as for the spike in prices I do agree but ..I think there is still some drums being offered

where condition just does not allow for the inflated pricing we see on most drums in better shape

Many thanks Green Glass this thread was indeed helpful

Hey now? next tine if you can work something out with my name in lights... I say go for it ! hehehe^5's

flowers2Yay KENWOODflowers2

Hi Kenwood!

I think you are right on about those MIJ snare drums that are not in the best of condition and priced accordingly. You just need to find them! I remember purchasing an MIJ drum, in pretty good condition, for less than $17! That certainly was the exception, though!

-Mark