Thanks for the tip! Just hope my drill will fit in the drum! I do have some oil, so may try that first. Hopefully it won't go right through the wood to the outer shell if I'm applying it on the inside of the shell?

Well, the oil did it. I got all lugs off bar three, and I've managed to get the wrap off all three drums, working carefully round those. It looks fine, so the shells are ready for varnish.

HOWEVER (always a however), upon removing the bass drum hardware, I noticed that the old style mount (see pictures at start of post) seems to indeed be the one originally supplied, as the hole left is small and circular. Also, it has the old 60's style bass drum spur mounts.This Olympic came with the more modern Premier Mounts - going off the style of badge and white wrap underneath I saw in a catalog shot I was sure it was a late 70's. What's going on? I don't want to punch a bigger hole in it and drill for new leg mounts now I know it's obviously been made with this hardware - there's just no extra holes to give away any mods. Could it be a very late use of the old hardware? Does anyone know when that hardware was used last?

Just to prattle on a bit longer - I removed the modernised tom mount from my Premier with a view to using it on this olympic kit. Sure enough, big plate is covering up another hole for the old style mount. However, old style mount off the olympic doesnt fit this uncovered hole, though it's and English component. I though they were standard?!

Not sure where to go now. Perhaps leave both kits with the hardware they had?

You most likely have gone past this stage now-I own a Dremel tool that has very narrow reinforced cutting wheels that are perfect for making a phillips into a flathead-or to grind off the head-hopefully leaving enough stem to soak in PB Blaster for a few days OFF the drum.Also-try tightening the screw slightly before loosening-sometimes it breaks loose.

Premier had the practice of "use everything old up first" before going to newer hardware, which makes dating difficult. Newer parts on older era shells were not uncommon, which is the reason Premier didn't stock old parts, they were all used up.

Cheers, that would explain it. So, by that logic, older hardware on newer shells would be likely too?

(my situation).

Update: All shells varnished!

Well, here it is!

I obviously didn't bother with the non-olympic tom that was made up to look like the set and concentrated on the four-piece.

The kit's seen better days, but I think I've given it a new lease of life!

To recap: I removed the blue contact paper and the old wrap underneath, which was beyond repair.

Then I rubbed all the drums with Turpintine substitute - great for getting rid of glue residue, but also 'moistens' the wood a degree.

Then I applied clear wood varnish to all the drums - I was keen to leave them looking natural, so there's minimal gloss.

I sanded down the hoops and repainted with a chestnut gloss, to match the natural look of the kit.

Anyway, not tried 'em out yet, but will soon!

Just a little info regarding the hardware issue etc.

Contacted a very helpful guy at vintageolympic.com, who told me that my kit is somewhere between 71 and 76, because the lockfast mounts came in after that. I'm told it should also have a 12", because it's not the model I originally thought it was. So, better get hold of a vintage 12" to complete it!

Also, Olympics from this time were issued wood finish like my custom job, but only in the USA.

Hi all, just an update on this kit. I've added another layer of varnish - mahogany - to give it that warmth, but more interestingly, I've since been in touch with a guy who specialises in drum decal reproductions. I had him run up the vintage Olympic logo for this kit and applied it to the head!

I think it's a nice finishing touch!

let me know your thoughts!

Anyone interested in the guy's services, please PM me.

Also, this baby's on Ebay now, to make room for another vintage Olympic, which I'll share with you when I get it. (I'll put a link up in the ebay section). Cheers.