Cracked my cymbal...what to do?

[wbb25]

I've just recently cracked one of my crash cymbals. This is the first time I've ever done such a thing, and I was wandering what I should do? The crack is only about a centemeter long on the edge of my cymbal. Correct me if i am wrong, but I know I've read about people doing their own modification work to cracked cymbals? Is this what I should do, or should I just leave the cymbal as is, seeing that the crack is not very big. However, I do want to continue playing it, but I am afraid that if I continue using it, the crack will grow even more...

If you suggest I somehow repair the cymbal, please give me advice on how to do so.

Thanks.

[Steamer]

Take a look through the CYMBAL REPAIRS/MODS sticky thread at the top for some cymbal crack repair solutions.

[diosdude]

drill it with an electric drill. Put a small hole, like an 1/8 of an inch or 3mm on the end of the crack to prevent it from spreading.

[Steamer]

drill it with an electric drill. Put a small hole, like an 1/8 of an inch or 3mm on the end of the crack to prevent it from spreading.


Then you have to complete the job with a small thin flat double sided jewellers file to make a smooth edge trench between the 2 broken sections so they don't rub together which can cause further cracking off the areas of the sharp broken edges. Debure the sharp rough edges of the metal with the file in other words on the cymbal. Further cracks can form off of sharp rough edges on thin metal especially ones rubbing togerther when struck combined with strong vibration.

[Steamer]

Oh yes and use a small round file or a few rotations of a larger drill bit on both sides to debure the edges of the round drilled hole well you're at it.

Round drilled holes also have to have the sharp rough edges smoothed over to stop cracks from forming off them down the road.

[wbb25]

Oh yes and use a small round file or a few rotations of a larger drill bit on both sides to debure the edges of the round drilled hole well you're at it.

Round drilled holes also have to have the sharp rough edges smoothed over to stop cracks from forming off them down the road.

Ok, I'm going to try what you have suggested. Quick question though...after I drill the hole at the end of the crack, I assume it will take some pressure to get the file inbetween the two sharp edges. Do I have to file enough to where the two edges of the crack do not touch anymore? or just enough to where the edges of the crack are smoothed out?

[Steamer]

Ok, I'm going to try what you have suggested. Quick question though...after I drill the hole at the end of the crack, I assume it will take some pressure to get the file inbetween the two sharp edges. Do I have to file enough to where the two edges of the crack do not touch anymore? or just enough to where the edges of the crack are smoothed out?


Yes make a thin dividing trench between the 2 broken sections so they do not touch against each other right up to the inner drilled stop hole at the end of the crack.

Go to a hardware specialty store and purchase a good quality fine grade double sided flat thin jewellers file then start at the crack at the cymbals edge and work your way to the drilled stop hole.

[cjbee]

Which brand is it and how old is it? It still may be under warranty.

[wbb25]

Which brand is it and how old is it? It still may be under warranty.

No, it is no longer under warranty. It's like an 8 year old Zildjian Z Custom.

[Pass.of.E.r.a.]

you could also put in a rivet in the hole or something, you know, make it look intentional

-Joanthan

[Daphfz]

can we get a picture?

[DamoSyzygy]

You make a Z Custom last 7 years?! Man, Im impressed!

[dkerwood]

Many of the custom cymbal makers will also do cymbal repair work- Saluda certainly comes to mind. They can cut out a bit of cymbal (around the crack), drill out the crack, vent it over the crack (ala Ozone), or they can cut the cymbal down to a smaller size to eliminate the crack.

The nice thing is that if THEY mess it up, well, it's their fault and not yours. That's why I often like to let mechanics do my car work for me. If they scratch the paint or stain the interior while they're working, they'll take care of it free of charge. If I do it, well, I'm out of luck.