jim

those things can be hard to find are also expensive. one alternative is the cordes tool. they are on ebay almost every day and can be had for about 20 I think...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Charles-Cordes-Multi-Tool-Drum-Set-Key-Billy-Gladstone-fits-Ludwig-RARE-/281133406621?pt=Vintgae_Drums_Percussion&hash=item4174db599d

mike

Hmmm.. that's good advise. Well time to build the tool set.

The Armen 4-in-1 Sta-Set drum tool!

http://www.armenhalburian.com/drum_tool.htm

The tool my dad made me is basically the same thing as tnsquint described. You probably could strip the eyebolt with it. My Dad gave me a lesson in the proper use of the tool before he gave it to me. Showed me how to use proper "feel" when tightening these types of connections. Never had a problem. I alway imagine he sitting there watching me use it. :)

jim

that was a great link! thanks for that. I always wondered why Ludwig never had one until the later years. makes total sense. would have saved a lot of chewed up wingnuts on vintage drums..

mike

actually , a pair of the small 5" curved jaw( 5 wr) vice grips can easily be adapted as a specialized wing-nut wrench.... because it remains adjustable , it will work on many different sizes of wing nuts, not just as a key, specialized for a specific one.

open them up all the way, then on a bench grinder , or clamped in a vice using a hand grinder , you can grind the teeth off, removing the teeth and a portion of the knurled block on the jaw tip and reforming the jaws so the curve remains but the back and tip of the jaw are equidistant when closed. you also need tp grind the anvil and blade from the wire cutter section, so the jaws can close tighter than when new.

this also has the extra bonus of voiding the lifetime warranty , quite nicely.

I just keep the appropriate size nut drivers handy.

Calfskin.... I admire your creative adaption of the venerable vice grip... and given the scarcity of vintage drum tools I may just toss a vice grip in the ol'bench vice and have a go at it...

However, there is no way it looks as cool as that 4-IN-1. :)

Wow.. there is an Armen Sta-set on ebay sitting at 148.00!!! That seems high to me..Falling Do

Does Ludwig still hold the patent for that? Would be very cool if someone made a run of them sometime. Maybe Maxwell or some high end drum shop? :) I'd love to have one but not for $150. LOL.

the Ludwig models are not as expensive when you can find them. I bought one here from the forum about a year ago for 35 I think.

mike