Ok...Repair and remounting complete.

The photos have better resolution if you follow the links. I discovered after ~45 minutes of trying that I cannot directly embed images from a Picassa album so I attached small images at the bottom. I'll probably move my web album to flicker!Lame

Here is where I began

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/fPhgdjpE6xfB0LPpxkx8-dMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

Details, I used PT Petrifier Wood Hardner (a non toxic product) first. I found it at my local Lumber/Hardware shop for ~$4.50. It worked fantastic! After the 1 hour dry/cure process, no more soft spot. I followed Purdie Shuffle's advice and applied to the bearing edges for reinforcement as well. I then filled the gaps with Tightbond wood filler. Though this was not a recommended brand, I have always been happy with Tightbond wood glue and it was available at the same shop for ~$3. I'm a beginner with this kind of finish work, so the end result was a bit messy with the wood filler, but the damaged area is much more stable.

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/V9VhEy_qsFLOZc0_uuO2n9MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

I reused the oversized mounting plate, but attempted to bend as was suggested by some, it to the shell's curve...yeah rightSumo Dude I got the plate touching at the point of the hole anyway, but it doesn't look pretty:D I followed mikey777's mounting model and everything snugged up beautifullyParty

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/0CnolVcHjFLjPs2RFuFp89MTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

And the outside looks good!

https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/KFx8sr-9FYP9S8lyjUhJktMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink

Thanks for everyone's input on this repair. I'd have certainly screwed the whole thing up without the expert advice, opinions and experienced suggestions from this thread.Bowing

Peace and rhythm in the new year,

Brian

This is a bit of an old thread now but hopefully someone is still watching! Help2

I have nearly exactly the same problem with a MIJ kit. It's a 60s pearl (still trying to ID it on another thread) and is very soft and weak around the spurs.

There's a pic here - http://i.imgur.com/lRVIBwW.jpg

Would you recommend i do the same wood hardener then filler technique? It doesn't look as severe as the OP's bass drum, but is very soft and I simply don't want to play it in that state for fear of causing more damage.

I was thinking of getting some very thin ply and lining inside the kick drum where the spur is. But I want to avoid this incase it changes the sound too much.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

*Bump*

Anyone?

I recently restored a Star and Majestic (Star made) kit. I noticed the same problem on both of the kits. Although mine wasn't broken through yet, you could feel how soft a mushy the area around the hole was. I noticed when the legs were in the drum that the slightest amount of pressure you put on the bass that the legs would want to splay outward, causing weakening around the hole. (bad design) I took both legs and wrapped them in a towel and put them in a vise with about a third of the leg sticking out. Then I whacked them both with a mallet so the had the same bend, not too much, about 20 degrees or so. I put them back in the bass drum and what an amazing difference. You could probably stand on the bass drum with out any movement, extremely sturdy. The angle puts the weight more straight on the hole rather than twisting it ( ala Ludwigs curved legs). I wish I had a better pic but the drums are gone but you can sort of see it in this pic I still have.

This is another repair I did to the Star snare. Someone had tightened the muffler knob to the point where it pulled right through the shell. I noticed that when it was made the factory put re-inforcement wood on certain areas because of the thin shell but not on the muffler knob, of course who would think someone would tighten it to that point? I had some 1/8" luan hanging around so I cut a patch and laid it on top of a humidifier that has hot steam that was at my shop. You could improvise with a pan of boiling water if you don't have the humidifier. The luan gets very soft so you can bend it. ( make sure the grain is going with the bend or it will just crack). Glue it and clamp it, let it dry and wallah! Re- drill your holes and your good to go. The re-inforcements in the pic that have the hardware are factory, the one without holes is mine. Worked great! Rich.