John, thank you for taking the time to take the pictures, post them and give detailed descriptions of what you are doing. All we have to do is sit back and read, your doing all the work. I know it takes time to do all of that because I have done it, but like you, I enjoy doing it. I like the feed back and compliments, suggestions and advice that come with it. And without the forum, I mean, who else really cares? So its great we can share our adventures with each other.

Ok, enough blah blah blah, back to the restore project.

The T-rod arrived from Canada! Yee-ha, thanks Mitch! :D

Now that I have all the bits assembled I'll take them to a local metal sculptor/artist and see if he'll help me with my small bits and pieces job. I'll see what he can do about reaming that claw so that I can use it. If all goes to plan, I'll have the hardware I need to finish the 13".

Another thing I'm looking into is tympani T-rods! This entire lug and t-rod set up looks like it came off of a Tympani drum. I'll let you know if I turn anything up.

Thanks again, Mitch!

John

Mitch I agree on your theory. Some of the older Slingerland ones I have are just a press fit. The handle is brass and the rod itself steel. The end of the steel rod has some "teeth" machined in it to grab the softer brass to avoid handle spin. Using a small pin to secure would not surprise me at all. Better than just a press fit.

Progress report:

Ok, I had a chin-wag with a metal sculptor today. He told me he's not set-up to do the kind of repairs I need, but he did give me a great lead. Tomorrow I'll be calling the local technical college to speak with the welding instructor! It'll be a great class project if he takes the job and I'll get the work done to spec. If they do it, I'll make a small donation to the school, or buy Pizza for the class, whatever. I just need this done and this sounds like a good lead. I'll keep you all posted as to progress.

In the meantime, I'm stripping the shell and going to work on the drum itself. Photos as work progresses... wish me luck with the tech school tomorrow!

John

Ok, an appointment has been made with the tech college welding instructor for tomorrow morning 9 am!

Synchronicity...

Half way through our conversation the welding instructor (Dale Roberts) interrupts me and tells me, "You know, one of my best students is a drummer from Bernville, he'll be excited to do work on this project!" What could be more perfect than to have the parts repaired by a drummer who is learning to become a welder! This just keeps getting better and better.

The Drum-Gods are watching over us... More tomorrow.

John

Just back from the tech school. We didn't do the job today because the kid who will be working on the job had another class to get to, so today I got to meet with Dale Roberts (welding instructor) and with the young man who will do the repairs to go over the job.

He's a young, upcoming drummer and he seemed enthusiastic about doing the job. Dale told me the job is do-able and we scheduled to do it Friday morning. I'm going to take photos of the repair process for you so you guys can see what's involved in putting these pieces back together again into useful units. I'm excited, this is so cool that I (we) get to see the work as it's being done. Please check back tomorrow for photos, a report and shots of the finished pieces. I gave him the URL for the thread, I hope he joins in and comments after the job is done. I'm sure he'll want to see the finished product as much as we do.

I can't tell you guys how much fun I'm having doing this restoration. Actually finishing the kit is going to be depressing for me... all the fun of bringing the kit back to life will be done.

Tomorrow!!!!!

John

I feel like that after just changing heads and waxing edges on radio king snare! Now I would like to just PLAY it ALL the time. Well, your work here is documented for all vintage drum enthusiasts and we can't wait to hear these drums.

Two more to go... after I finish the 13" I'll get right to work on the 11" tom. When that one's done, then I can call it a wrap. Getting close, I can smell the finish line...

John

John that's GREAT news! I'm so happy for you your getting the help on those parts. Gus will be so proud and amazed of the work you've done. Me too! :) This has been like a great novel keeping me on the edge of my seat page after page.

Glenn - This all looked like a lot of hard work from the front end, but I've been enjoying myself so much it's hardly seemed like work at all. When I work on these drums I get into an altered state and time goes by without notice. It's all been huge fun from start, all the way to (let's hope,) the finish.

I met the kid who will be repairing the parts at the tech school today. All of 18 I'd guess and very bright and excited to work on the parts. I showed him pictures of the drums and he was ooh and ahhh! He's a drummer and I hope to get him to sign up here. I told him that if he does a good job on my stuff, there are others who may throw a little work his way if they need some broken metal parts repaired. I'll be sure to take a bunch of photos tomorrow of the parts being repaired. The cool thing is, I get to hang out and watch/supervise/approve the work. I'll be acting as 'quality control' but otherwise I pretty much plan to stay out of his way and let him go through his paces. I have a surprise thank you planned for him. I'll get a shot of that too. This whole thing has been a blast. More to come...

John