Do-It-Yourself Snare Drum Construction

[zambizzi]

...I searched and surprisingly, could not find a thread that had any substantial info on how to go about this process. I know there are plenty of folks on here who have built, or know someone who has built their own snare.

I thought I'd do this as a small completely experimental side-project. I know *nothing* about building drums but I'm fascinated by the idea and if I get nothing more out of it than learning a thing or two and tossing my end-product in the trash, I'd be more than fulfilled.

There's a place in Eagle, the next town over, that sells all types of exotic (and common) woods. My guitar player builds his own guitars from scratch and gets his wood there, so I figured I'd pick up a block of maple (or even something more exotic, if it'll sound good as a snare.)

I don't expect anyone to give me a 200 page manual on solid shell construction but just to get some leads, here are some basic questions bouncing around in my head:

1. What tools to use?
2. How are the lug holes measured?
3. How are bearing edges cut?
4. When shopping for a block of wood to do this, what characteristics do I look for in a "good" slab to cut from?
5. How big of a slab of wood would I need for a 14"x7" snare?
6. Any special treatments to the wood itself to keep it from warping, cracking, etc.?

I could probably list 100+...but you see where I'm going...I know nada, nothing, zip.

[Class A Drummer]

Check out the forum on Drummaker.com. Ive always wanted to learn how to build a snare, but never really looked around that forum much, but i hear they know everything there.

[Porker69]

I'm sure you could find books on the subject; I found this site with a quick google search http://www.drumdojo.com/tech/build.htm but maybe try a local wood working shop or music store so someone can point you in the right direction for a book.

[Deathmetalconga]

Sounds like a fun project, but you will need lots of specialized equipment and knowledge to pull it off. When you are done, you will have the skills of a drummaker.

There are some tutorials out there on how to make drums out of thin plywood available at every hardware store. That might be a better route and it would require fewer tools and less skill, but plywood just isn't as sexy as a solid drum.

[jjolddahgoo]

http://www.drumshed.org/forum/

I learned great deal of information there when I built my own snare. Personally, I don't know much about stave drums, but there's a lot of experts over at the Shed.

[Class A Drummer]

http://www.drumshed.org/forum/

I learned great deal of information there when I built my own snare. Personally, I don't know much about stave drums, but there's a lot of experts over at the Shed.

Thats a cool forum man. Do you know if there are any particular threads in there that would help a total beginner such as myself? I saw alot of threads based on specific little things, but im wondering if there are great general threads to help out beginners.

[jjolddahgoo]

The Drum Building Manual section has some great tips and pointers on specific things. Mostly, you have to search for information. I had no idea what I was getting into at first, but I just kept searching, reading, and asking. It helps to stick around there and soak in as much information as possible then start up on your build. There's lots of reading to do.

Here's some recommeded searches you run...
Maloof, Snare Beds, Router, Drill, Tung, Lacquer, Poly, Edges, Drill Press, Dye, Paint, polish, wetsand (thanks to moosryan for most of the searches.)

[drozzy]

http://ghostnote.net/vbforum/

Very cool forum!

[boomboomda]

www.drumfoundry.com has some tools and jigs that you can check out.
For bearing edges I use a router, that I have mounted underneath my work bench and the tool sticks out through the top.
Then I take the shell and turn it in the SAME direction as the tool turns, otherwise you get burn marks, along the cutter. Take a little at the time until you reach your desired depth.
Do it of course on the inside and outside of the shell.
Also you will need a table saw, if you want to built a stave snare.
I don't make my own shells, so I really can help you there, but check out the websites mentioned earlier, lots of help there.
Here is one more tip, after you finished your first drum, you probably will be bitten by the " drum building bug" and you will be unable keep yourself away from building, but that is not a bad thing.
Good luck.

[katman]

http://ghostnote.net/vbforum/

Very cool forum!

I agree. Ghostnote is the most comprehensive builder's forum I've come across. You can spend ages drooling over some of the stuff.

If you have a good table saw and a lathe with big enough clearance, then stave or segment shell construction would be the way to go. Hollowing out a solid piece of maple is a tricky and risky business as the wood has to be dried just right or it could warp or split later on. Most people start with ply shells (maple, birch) from a company like Keller and do their own edges (on a router table) and beds, finishing (stains, oils and/or laquers) and drilling.

Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

[zambizzi]

Thanks for the info everyone...I'm even more compelled to get started...it'd be a great excuse to build a little woodshop in my garage.

I'll keep everyone posted when I get started...thanks!!

[crazyhorse]

Yea stave building is what you need to read up on. The process itself is rather simple actually and it's not rocket science. Now getting the hang of making that perfect shell every time is where the experience comes in. =) Careful, you're about to get VERY addicted.