My new project -- convert this tom to a snare drum:
Project specs:
- bought of craigslist for $20
- 13" diameter shell, was 10" or 11" deep? (I didn't measure it before I cut it)
- cut down to 5" using this method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy1Auj_X53A
- black drum-wrap came of very easily
- shell appears to be 7-ply mahogany, though the innermost ply was lighter-colored than mahogany
- 6-hole rims
- re-using all hardware (lugs, rims) except the tom mount
- re-using the former resonant head as a batter head (Evans EC1, coated)
- bought: snare-side head (Evans 300), snare wires & straps, strainer/butt-plate, and some wood stain
- bought: a snare stand on craigslist ($40)
- total cost for the project will probably run me about $100 by the time I'm finished
I thought cutting the shell would be the most difficult part, given that I don't have a table saw. I tried using a hand-held circular saw to do it...and it's a good thing I cut 2" long of the line I actually wanted (so the snare would be 5" deep), because the hand-held line was nowhere close to straight. The hand-saw clamped to boards on the workbench worked out beautifully, though.
The hardest part may actually be motivating myself to finish the darn thing -- "finish" as in staining or painting or shellacking the shell . It's not done yet, but I'll post pics (and maybe a test recording) when the whole thing is completed.
Project specs:
- bought of craigslist for $20
- 13" diameter shell, was 10" or 11" deep? (I didn't measure it before I cut it)
- cut down to 5" using this method: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fy1Auj_X53A
- black drum-wrap came of very easily
- shell appears to be 7-ply mahogany, though the innermost ply was lighter-colored than mahogany
- 6-hole rims
- re-using all hardware (lugs, rims) except the tom mount
- re-using the former resonant head as a batter head (Evans EC1, coated)
- bought: snare-side head (Evans 300), snare wires & straps, strainer/butt-plate, and some wood stain
- bought: a snare stand on craigslist ($40)
- total cost for the project will probably run me about $100 by the time I'm finished
I thought cutting the shell would be the most difficult part, given that I don't have a table saw. I tried using a hand-held circular saw to do it...and it's a good thing I cut 2" long of the line I actually wanted (so the snare would be 5" deep), because the hand-held line was nowhere close to straight. The hand-saw clamped to boards on the workbench worked out beautifully, though.
The hardest part may actually be motivating myself to finish the darn thing -- "finish" as in staining or painting or shellacking the shell . It's not done yet, but I'll post pics (and maybe a test recording) when the whole thing is completed.
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