The only experience I have with this is probably not worth sharing because it did not stop the crack. Any bit made to cut metal will do, just be sure to use some type of lubricant to dissipate heat and don't try to go too fast. I would suggest about a 3/16" to 1/4" bit and drill about 3/16" past the crack. Cut a little and back out to let the cymbal cool a few seconds and repeat.

I used a 1/8" bit, if memory serves me, and drilled just past what I thought was the end of the crack. Within 3 or 4 months, it was cracked past the hole. I think the crack probably went further than I could see, and I should have used a larger bit.

I haven't let anyone sit in on my kit since the night this cymbal initially cracked. You never know how hard the next guy plays...and this guy beat my kit like it had done something bad to his mother! Of all the cymbals I have owned, that's the only crack I've ever experienced. OK, I'm done with the Soap Box.

I wish you luck! Maybe someone that has had success with this will chime in.

Hey DD - I like to use titanium bits for this job since they're a bit more durable, stay sharp and generally do well cutting metal. What SL says is absolutely correct - use some lubricant, go slowly and ease off now and then. The trick is to make sure you drill past the end of the crack (use a magnifying glass). The crack almost always goes beyond the visible end of the crack, so use some good judgement here. Now, all of that said, please recognize that this is all in the name of extending the life of your beloved cymbal, it's by no means a fix. A cracked cymbal is a cracked cymbal, and if you want to keep playing it, it will crack again unfortunately. Let us know how it turns out.

Ya otta cut out the area and blend the pattern as best you can.Who knows when it would again start cracking beyond the hole.

Back in the 70's I had a 18" zild crash that had a crack up by the bell. I brought it to my drum teacher who also ran a music store. And they either fixed there or sent it somewhere. Looked like it had been brazed, then re cut. It sounded a bit tight after that but in a few years it got it's normal sound back. Never cracked again either. I was a young teen at the time and was just happy to see it fixed. I have tired to drill a few 15" Paiste hi hats that cracked and they just continued to crack. LOL oh well.

Thanks for all the replies! Clapping Happy2

What type of lubricant should I use to dissipate the heat?

use a manual hand crank drill, less heat and less chance of it skipping across your cymbal.

Good idea. But if you don't have a hand crank, use a low speed setting on your drill if you can. Just cut a little and back out and keep applying oil as necessary. Use a punch or a small nail with a sharp point to gently tap a divot into the cymbal to keep your bit from walking. Just go slow and take your time.

You can use 3-in-1 Oil. I used vegetable oil when I drilled mine. LoLoLoLo I was out of town and had to use what I could. Some guy had a drill press in the back of his truck and we plugged it up and borrowed vegetable oil from the kitchen of the place I was playing at and made it work.