Waxing bearing edges

[brianthedrummer]

I learned a technique a long time ago. I use in on my cheaper drums but before I hit my DW's, I'd like to get some opinions.

Does anyone "wax" their bearing edges before putting their heads on? Like basic candle or some similar thick or dry wax...

[Garvin]

I put beeswax around the batter side of a bass drum once. It ended up heating up due to friction then flaking off and rattling around at the bottom of my drum. I think I used too much.

[Deathmetalconga]

Movement across the bearing edge is so minute I don't think wax would make much of a difference.

[caddywumpus]

Before you "hit" your DWs with the wax, let me mention that waxing the edges will reduce their value. This only matters if you plan on selling your kit ever. If someone is going to buy your drums, and they notice that the bearing edges are a little darker and damp-looking (from the wax, of course), they might not want to buy them, either.

I was talking with some vintage drum collectors I met in California, and they said that that's one of the things they check for. Almost nobody does it, but if you end up buying a kit, and it has wax residue and discoloration on the edges, you've bought a "dud". It doesn't really do any structural damage, but it's looked down upon.

In my experience, I've never had an issue with needing wax on my edges.

The same thing goes with tambourines. Once you put beeswax on a tambourine to do thumbrolls, its resale value goes way down, I found out the hard way...

[Jacamus]

i know of a guy who does this to his drums, however he swears by it. personally, i highly doubt theres a significant difference if you wax or not. if caddy is right, then it may not be worth risking it for a small change in sounds. i wouldnt wax them just incase of some reason u need to sell em on later

[fat in the middle]

I run a candle every now and then ever so slightly around the edge. My hunch is the head will not pull to one side when it is seated if lubed with wax. I was told to put a tiny amount to fill the tiny holes of the wood. I don't think it hurts. Whether it makes it sound better would depend if it helps the seating of the head more affective.

[rogue_drummer]

I used a light touch of candle wax around the bearing edges once. I did this because I read in other posts to do this. However, unless you plan to do record so minutely and so exact that this may change the sound, I don't believe it enhances the sound or helps set the head better. Will the audience notice the difference? No. Will a recording engineer notice the difference? Probably 99.9% of the time they will not, if they even notice.

I think a smooth bearing edge cut exactly is probably best and will not need candle wax.

My .02 cents.

[brianthedrummer]

Thanks guys. Seems the trade off is not worth risk.