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Lug maintenance/restoration Last viewed: 1 hour ago

Posts: 158 Threads: 52
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Hello!

I’m very close to finishing an early 70s Ludwig refinish project and have a ton of lugs to shine up and care for before throwing them back on. I also have an 80s Tama snare that I think could use a good cleaning and shining. What I’d like to know is what process you all use before putting old hardware back on drums. Specifically lugs.

With my Tama snare, I’ve noticed that a rod or two will always feel more tight than the rest, despite being around the same pitch when I tap next to it while tuning. So anyway, figured it was a good time to get some different opinions on this! How do you restore old lugs?!

-Thanks!

Posted on 3 years ago
#1
Posts: 5295 Threads: 226
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I use my ultrasonic cleaner with a few drops of Dawn in the water...After that, a quick rub with chrome polish and they are ready to be put back on the drum...

Cheers

1976 Ludwig Mach 4 Thermogloss 26-18-14-14sn
1978 Ludwig Stainless 22-22-18-16-14-13-12 c/w 6-8-10-12-13-14-15-16-18-20-22-24 concert toms
1975 Sonor Phonic Centennials Metallic Pewter 22-16-13-12-14sn (D506)
1971 Ludwig Classic Bowling Ball OBP 22-16-14-13
1960's Stewart Peacock Pearl 20-16-12-14sn
1980`s Ludwig Coliseum Piano Black 8x14 snare
1973 Rogers Superten 5x14 & 6.5x14 COS snares
1970`s John Grey Capri Aquamarine Sparkle 5x14 snare
1941 Ludwig & Ludwig Super 8x14 snare
Posted on 3 years ago
#2
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The ultrasonic device sounds great on a labor/time saving basis. I have never used one, but I hear they are great using walnut shells as a medium.

I have used a buffing wheel from Harbor freight. 2 wheels, 1 each side.

Use a metal polishing compound and buff the lugs and rods. On lugs, screw in a long tension rod to hold lug in your hand. They will fly away because they are hard to hold against a wheel spinning. For rods that are tight. Get a tap and die set for 12-24 if lugs are standard American. Different threads for MIJ/DW etc. Screw/turn the die over threads on rods to clean up threads. Use the tap to clean out threads in lug inserts. Then lube the rods with vaseline or lithium grease. Have fun restoring sir.

BLAEMIRE DRUMS
Thanks to Mr. Jerry Jenkins
Posted on 3 years ago
#3
Posts: 350 Threads: 33
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From D-Rum

With my Tama snare, I’ve noticed that a rod or two will always feel more tight than the rest, despite being around the same pitch when I tap next to it while tuning. -Thanks!

I have sometimes found the problem to be a small piece to metal or even a curly sliver of the tension rod thread that had separated and become lodged in the tension rod or even swivel nut itself. I use a small plumbing wire bristle bore to clean out the nuts, then re-lubricate.

1974-75 Rogers Starlighter IV New England White 13/16/22 (w/Dyna)
1964-67 Rogers Blue Glass Glitter 12/14/16/20
early Oaklawn Camco Blue Moire 12/14/20
1926 Super Ludwig 5x14
1960-ish Ludwig COB 5x14 Super Sensitive
1960-ish Ludwig COB 6.5x14 Super Sensitive
1970 Ludwig COB Cut-Badge 5x14 Supra Phonic

Looking for a Camco Aristocrat SD in Blue Moire!!
Posted on 3 years ago
#4
Posts: 5295 Threads: 226
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From green glass drum

The ultrasonic device sounds great on a labor/time saving basis. I have never used one, but I hear they are great using walnut shells as a medium.

I think you may be confusing an ultrasonic machine with a tumbler...

Cheers

1976 Ludwig Mach 4 Thermogloss 26-18-14-14sn
1978 Ludwig Stainless 22-22-18-16-14-13-12 c/w 6-8-10-12-13-14-15-16-18-20-22-24 concert toms
1975 Sonor Phonic Centennials Metallic Pewter 22-16-13-12-14sn (D506)
1971 Ludwig Classic Bowling Ball OBP 22-16-14-13
1960's Stewart Peacock Pearl 20-16-12-14sn
1980`s Ludwig Coliseum Piano Black 8x14 snare
1973 Rogers Superten 5x14 & 6.5x14 COS snares
1970`s John Grey Capri Aquamarine Sparkle 5x14 snare
1941 Ludwig & Ludwig Super 8x14 snare
Posted on 3 years ago
#5
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D,

Is your question regarding the entire process of making the hardware spiffy and shiny, or is about the mechanics of silky smooth tuning?

I recently discovered two methods that take time but are far less laborious:

Soak all the parts in Evapo-rust overnight. You can find it at auto parts stores.

Soak all the parts in a water-Dawn solution the next night. I used about an ounce of Dawn with about 2 cups of water. Make sure to use Dawn dish soap and not the green hand soap sold at Costco.

Run some q-tips through the lug nuts to remove the now-loose dirt, scum and old grease. A brush might even be better.

Dip the tip of each tension rod in light machine oil and run the tension rod through the nut (with your fingers, no drum key) before you install the lug. This will lubricate the nut and also tell you if you have more work to do to get smooth operation of the nut.

I finish up with Flitz polish. Everybody here has their favorite, and this is mine.

Josh

Posted on 3 years ago
#6
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From grantro

I think you may be confusing an ultrasonic machine with a tumbler...Cheers

Just going with the original post. Yes, probably a tumbler. Not sure.

BLAEMIRE DRUMS
Thanks to Mr. Jerry Jenkins
Posted on 3 years ago
#7
Posts: 158 Threads: 52
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From jmcohen

D,Is your question regarding the entire process of making the hardware spiffy and shiny, or is about the mechanics of silky smooth tuning?

Both! I should have clarified. This is great info thanks a lot! Good info from everyone else as well. I’ve done my own thing before as far as polishing, but I’ve never tried to improve the mechanics to get a smooth tune and turn of a tension rod. Looking forward to trying these things out.

Posted on 3 years ago
#8
Posts: 158 Threads: 52
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Going to start cleaning after Christmas. Forgot to ask another question-

What do you guys put in your lugs for padding? I’ve seen foam and cotton inside lugs, but what do you prefer and why?

Posted on 3 years ago
#9
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Cotton, because foam will rot. When it does it can stick to metal.

Peace

Steve

Posted on 3 years ago
#10
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