I mean the stuff with the sandwich, that is what I don`t want, I just want the leather without the filler stuff in between !!

I think I understand a little better bout the leather, now. I was a little confused listening to my customer,...but you explained it better. Now when he says it can be shrunk on too,...is that something that I can do while applying it or is it treated then it shrinks after ? We didn`t get into alot of detail cuz he told me he`d help and explain when the time comes !! His company make leather products like suitcases and things that get wrapped.

He wants vented skylights, his gutters are rotted and he hasn`t got a clue there,..That`s my line of work,..I want my drums wrapped in leather,...I got no clue,..that`s his line of work, so we`re trade`n the old fashioned way !!

Tradin is always a good thing if your getting what you want. Just dont be a redneck and trade a engine overhaul for a case of beer! lol

I have been in the upholstery business all my life. I dont know anything about suitcases and stuff like that, but we install leather interiors in vehicles all the time.

Is that tool like a rasp or a block plane, cuz I`m good with those?

Oh I think it`ll be kinda even,..he might get the better deal, mine might take longer. I`ll rip out the skylites and gutter, install the slate and replace the shylites in one day,..then do the wood gutter fascia deal the next, weather permitting I`ll do it in a weekend, I`m near fifty and been do`n this all my life !!

This tool is sorta like a planer.Its not expensive at all. it has replaceable razor type blades

Hi,

Way back on the first page someone warned about the problems you will have fitting heads on the drum. But I haven't seen the problem addressed since (sorry if I missed your reply).

I had to to do some shaving to get heads to fit over a simple glass glitter rewrap that was just marginally thicker than the old pearl wrap. I am not sure about the thickness of leather you plan on using. It would probably be worth your while to try this on one (1) drum of little value, and see if the leather changes the drum shell thickness such that you cannot get a head to seat well and loosely enough to sound decent.

I have played with a few singers who wrapped their hollow bodies in tooled leather. Did seem to mute the guitars.

Have fun,

Patrick

Ive been thinkin about this leather thing. Here's what I think. I wouldn't do it to a very valuable kit, and I believe the sound would definatlly sound muffled. I believe one could shave the edges of the leather to accommodate the head fit. Wetting leather allows it to streatch, so if you cover the shell with wet leather it will shrink to the shell. After wet leather dries it becomes hard, if not conditioned. So, in theory leather can be hard and resonant, if you dont condition it. Just Thinkin'

Another thought, when wet leather dries, How much will it draw up? It may continue to draw up till the seam splits, or what if it drew up to the point it broke the drum shell?, LOL

Room, room, room,...I got zima !!

I went and dug the Battleship out,.. well, one case containg two, here`s the skinny,...I don`t need to worry about fitt`n under the heads.

1st photo shows a 13" Remo Emperor on top of my 13" tom, the 2nd shows the same drum turned upside down to show why I can`t put a 13" head on my 13" tom. The last photo shows why I have to put a 14" head on my 13" tom, and a 15" on the 14" and a 16" on the 15" and so on !!

I got a quarter inch all the way around the drum between the head/rim to the shell !!

My lug bolts are straight up and down, they don`t angle in or out , like I see on other drums. the lug is angled to keep them true and it`s out away from the shell far enough to accomidate a larger head.

I still am contemplate`n about how to attach the leather,..the best idea I have so far is to size it up to the drum, make the seam with lace, and slide it over the naked drum, like a bag with pull tight strings. Then do the cuts and drill`n from the inside out. This way I can remove it later on,...If I want to. It still will retain all of it`s vintegness. (if that`s a word !!) I still may have to get longer screws cuz I`m taking an 1/8 away from them and I want them to hold tight. I think they have a tolerance to how much in the lug they must go !! I`ll probably write/E-mail Sonor about that !!

Here`s the #`s on the 13",

It`s a 1/2" thick,(beechwood) 1/4" on either side = 14" head !!