Raw Shell

[frank0072]

This is what is left from my 10x14" racktom that I got with my second hand drumkit. I don't use it so I decided to take of the hideous wrap and this is what came out of it. As you can see some parts of the outer layer of wood are gone with the wrap, so it's not the same thickness all around.
I was wondering if I could fill the spaces up with filler, and sand it to get it perfectly round and smooth again. This would seriously mess up the sound I think, but would give it better looks when painted afterwards. But I don´t know. So I post it :-).
It all comes down to this: should I throw away this shell or can I actually get a decent sounding/looking drum out of it?

[bojangleman]

i know really nothing about drum making, or re finishing. but my uncle owns a wood shop. and i mess around with him sometimes in his shop. and when i do, i want to go back every day, so i say go ahead and mess around with it. and if it turns out well, you can look back and be like "oh yea, i did that!" i say go for it!
good luck
Alex

[GRUNTERSDAD]

That outer layer looks like it is made from Luaun which is a very soft, grainy wood, that I doubt you will be able to sand and get smooth enough to stain. I'm only guessing from the photo. Luaun is the same wood that is used to make hollow core interior doors like the bedroom door in your house.

[tizzdizz]

Sure you can get a decent sound out of it. It's still round and doesn't look too bad. I did something similar when I took the wrap off my pearl exports and refinished them.

ripped up some of the outer ply on the 12" tom:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/tizzdizz/Refinish%20Drums/DSC02686.jpg

superglued it back into place, and used some wood filler, and sanded it smooth:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/tizzdizz/Refinish%20Drums/DSC02695.jpg

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b58/tizzdizz/Refinish%20Drums/DSC02728.jpg

Edit: after looking at the picture of the missing outer ply on yours, it may be best not to use wood filler, as it would take quite a bit to fill that in, and it would obviously not take a stain all that well. You might consider getting a thin (maple?)veneer to apply to the outer edge.

[punkdrummer1]

it looks a bit rough to me. It might take alot of hard work to make it real smooth again.....

[enemytopublic2]

you might be better off sanding off the outer ply.

[Deathmetalconga]

Why not wrap it with another ply of wood? If you can wrap shells in plastic, you can wrap them in wood. You'd have to obtain a ply from a mill, then carefully glue it on, but it could be done.

[frank0072]

thanks for the comments. I was wondering what other people have to say about this. crazyhorse must have an opinion, since he's our custom shell guy around here ;-)

[Drumsword]

I have refinished 6 or 7 kits and they usually have some degree of damage like yours does. I had a couple that looked just like that and I sanded off the outer ply, and painted it a jet black, fade to white and it lookes and sounds great. Takes a some time and care with an orbital sander and fine grit paper but you can repair that quite easily. and with 3 or 4 coats with a heavy oil base paint you won't see the fine dings at all. or if you can get it smooth enough you may be able to sand it.

Or as others have said, you can always re-wrap it.

Good luck