My hand built kit

[Builder]

This a kit that I built from the ground up. It started life as a pile of hardware and plywood (italian poplar)

20x20 Kick
10x8 Rack
14x12 Suspended Floor
14x8 Snare

Pearl Stands and mounting hardware
Pacific 402 Dbl Bass Pedal

[harryconway]

Sweet kit............20

[maddrummr]

nice kit my friend,
Are those fiberskyn on the resonant?

[Builder]

No, Evans G2s on the toms and an Attack on the Snare and a Powerstroke 3 on the Kick. The kick has lots of punch to it and the snare, LOTS of bottom end. The kit sounds pretty good. Sadly I have no recordings right now. Rich

[Builder]

believe it or not, the finish came from a spray can (actually many) with about a half dozen coats of clear. I was pretty happy with it. Rich

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

Spray can finish? Man! I'm very impressed. Although, I've heard that spray paints have become better quality. I used a clear laquor in a spray can for a couple toms I refinished and it came out nice for being a laquor. I was thinking about trying some spray can colors to do my cheapie metal snare just for kicks but I haven't decided on a design yet.

I'm interested in hearing more about the build process. I would love to hear some sound clips when you get some.

[Builder]

First comes the fill for the bare wood (thinned wood puty works well). Be careful how much you use because you have to take it off as well. Once smoothe, comes the primer (3 coats sanded in between). I spray with the shell suspended from about a foot away (drift the paint on so it's even). The shell gets at least three coats to cover completely. Then a light rub with rubbing compound followed by one more coat of color. Then the first coat of clear. Then rubbing compound, then clear, then compound, then clear, until I got the finish I wanted. Lot of work but it was worth it. I used Rustoleum (spelling?)

I have plans to build another kit, A double kick with big cannons (probably 26's), 4 racks (8, 10, 12, 13 and an 18 floor with another 14x8 snare-love the sound). Gonna finish it is sheet copper and buff the hell out of it. Have to find a finish to prevent corrosion though (can't have corrosion blue on my copper gear). Should be a unique kit. I'll post build photos as well. Keep stickin' Rich

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

I've heard of guitar finishers using rubbing compounds between paint coats. I'm waiting to get some fine grit wet sand paper and polish to finish my snare. It looks so nice now, but being nit picky I want to get the micro dust particles out of my last coat of spar varnish. Then I can do my kick to match!

What type of spray rig are you using? I've been wanting to get a small set up for drum projects mainly. I was thinking about getting an air brush.

[Builder]

I just used the cans (boy was my finger and forearm sore from pushing that nozzle). Good thing drummers have rhtymn. I want to get a small compressor and a small spray gun. Then the color experimentation can begin (hehe). There are can attachments designed like a spray gun handle that make the job easier and more tolerable.

As for sandpaper, my final was 600 before I started using the rubbing compound. It's common to use the compound when doing laquer finishes on cars. Gives it that deep deep mirror finish. I've never attempted anything like fades but i might experiment with that as well. Have to consult some pros as far as the skill goes.

The shell construction is actually simple (takes a page and a half to explain in detail). Basically you build a jig (2 ends cut to the inside diameter) and a center support for the first seam. Four sheets of italian poplar (90 degree grain for easy dry bending). Brads hold the first sheet on the jig and join the seam. The next three sheets are applied with DAP Weldwood (once it's on...it's on). The seams are positioned 90 degrees apart and rolled on. Once all four sheets are on, cut off the jig ends and carefully remove the center support. Plane the ends smoothe and level, cut sound edges (and snare bed), use an appropriate size rim to set up your drill pattern for lug casings, drill holes (preferably a drill press), and proceed to the finish. If you use a wrap finish adjust the size of the jig accordingly to allow for the wrap. Then mount your hardware, set up stands, pedals, cymbals, mics, band, recording contract, agent, groupies and audience and then...beat the crap out of them. Thats the process in a nutshell.

Keep on stickin'

Rich

[SLEEPY BRiGHT EYEZ]

hahah I wish I had a work shed or a garage to do something like that.

[timebandit]

Did you make those acrylic nunchukes hanging on the wall?

[Builder]

Afraid not. Haven't gotten the process of working with polymers down yet. I would love to so I could try constructing an acrylic kit. Tried a few experiments but they failed miserablly. I'll have to stick to wood for now.

Rich

[Builder]

Also, it's "nunchaku."

Rich

[jollymosher]

Sweet kit man! i like the finish. its crazy stuff.

[Disco Stu]

You made those? Well, I'm impressed.

[timebandit]

Also, it's "nunchaku."

Rich

Well, I got it pretty close,

for not knowing how to spell it at all!

[Builder]

Thank you very much for the compliments. No worries on the spelling. It's a quirk of mine (20 year practitioner). Keep on stickin' Rich