building questions

[Legacyrik]

So I'm wanting to "build" as set, actually I'm going to build one from my two boys also while I'm at it:)

My questions are:

Who are people going to and getting the shells that have a good reputation with making the bearing edges?

How about putting a veneer on these keller shells? has anyone had that done? Can you get it done? Was it expensive?

Thanks in advance,

Rik

[larlev]

Shells and bearing edges are flawless through Drumfoundry....I bought all my stuff through them...Eric Sooy is a great guy to deal with..I would highly recommend them

As far as veneer's....they make a paper backed veneer that accepts contact cement very well..check Oakwoodveneer.com....I have not personally tried it yet...you need to check out Ghostnote.com and drumshed.org...you'll find all the info you need with regards to building

I searched and read posts for 4 months before starting....

[crazyhorse]

Yep... ghostnote is where it's at. Drumshed is actually run by a guy that shafted the owner of ghostnote a while back and kinda stole the site. It's pretty dead these days. There are some great tutorials at drumfoundry.com and as already said they're top notch guys over there.

I'm in the process of assembling my first two drums. I've got a keller shell snare from drumfoundry I'll be drilling, etc and then a beautiful Birdseye stave shell (check my other post about my tease pics) that will be coming already drilled. There are initial investments that are good to make before you start but other than that you'll end up with a kit that hangs with $2000+ setups for almost nothing in comparison. You can veneer them, wrap them, or my personal favorite... stain and clear them. =)

[Legacyrik]

Sweet thanks.

20202020202020202020

[crazyhorse]

No problem... always cool when people are willing to try and do it themselves. You might want to start small and do like an 8 or 10" one first. Building a snare gets a bit more expensive since you've got to have strainer,etc. Plus in my case I love tube lugs and they're a good 6 bucks+ each.. owie

[KCDrummer]

The ones I like are PrecisionDrum.com and DrumMaker.com. I built my own set in 2002 and wrote an article about it last year for OnlineDrummer.com. Some companies do veneers, some don't and it does get expensive, especially with rare woods.

http://onlinedrummer.com/if_you_build_it.php

[harryconway]

Here in So. California, nice place called Andersons. Sells Keller shells. Quite a few So. Cal drum makers buy from them, any they cut bearing edges.They also sell 4x8 sheets of exotic veneers. 3M Fastbond contact adhesive works great. Veneers can get very expensive, just depends on "how exotic" you go.

[crazyhorse]

Whatever you do... don't forget to buy a vacuum bag setup. I found a nice one in my woodworkers catalogue the other day that would get you started. You're going to need a vacuum bag to do a good veneer finish.