DIY Drum Rack - Lets do it!

GrooveDrummer

Junior Member
Hello DrummerWorld...

For referance... The rack i'm planning on building is going to be accommadating a 6 piece Mapex. The basic specifications are as follows... Two 14' Snares. Then a 12', 13' toms, then a 14' and 15' Floor tom, with a 22' Base drum.
Irrelevant, but i'm 16 at the moment. I would say i'm limited financially to a certain extend, but this really isn't about the money...
I liked the idea of a drum rack, went browsing and was pretty shock at what standard racks from Gib. and Pearl costed. Considering the current exchange rate.

Anyway... i'd like some help/advice on a few things...
I've starting putting some thought and time into a DIY Drum Rack. Which i'm sure can as effective as a retail Gibraltar or something, only if the put the time and well 'quality' into it.. which I really don't mind doing...

I've already measured and designed the basic shell of the Rack.. And have a brief idea of the materials i will be using for the joins and contacts etc..

My biggest problem is though... Is the clamps.
Firstly.. I'm not sure if there is a standard size for clamps of not(As they probably change in size from Rack series to another).
The piping has to be the size(Or Around There) of the clamps i'm going to use.. and until i find a set or make/brand of clamps that i'm going to dedicate to, i really can't get the piping...
And i'm not necessarily looking for top of the range clamps, if i we're this would be a lot easier..

Now, I talked to a few people who would be able to lend some advice onto this topic...
I could buy the rack clamps -
Firstly i am situated in South Africa, which is a beautiful place sure, but the exchange rate not being in my favour(The rand being R8.05 to the dollar and R13.00 to the pound). Now most online stores i've been through go down to saw a low of about 15$US for a standard multi-clamp, nothing fancy. That would be R120.75 for one clamp, and shipping and import duties being at 90% up. This option would just be ridiculious, as we're going to need quite a few clamps.
Making my own clamps - I've also been talking around, and some fresh and simple solutions were given, making this option very preferable. Luckily, My dad is in the casting industry(Aliminuim, Clay, Anything really), so i have all the necessary tool to do it, including sandblasting to polish things up. Has anyone attempted this before ? Please, shed some light and experiences on this option... Thanks.
And my third option as thus far is to use Yamaha Electrontic Kit Clamps. I've been recommended to try use this, and motify them to a certain extend to strengthen them... Again, if anyone can shed some experience of any ideas...

Let me know what you think...
Thank you DW
Paul Patterson
 
Well, if you can do with your normal hardware I would wait. A drumrack is an 'extra' in my book, not something essential. It's better to save up and purchase something good then to throw away money at something that you can't sell afterwards, and is bound to fall apart.
Unless you are very skilled in working with metal and stuff, I wouldn't even try.
Sorry, probably not really helpfull, but just my idea.
 
Well, if you can do with your normal hardware I would wait. A drumrack is an 'extra' in my book, not something essential. It's better to save up and purchase something good then to throw away money at something that you can't sell afterwards, and is bound to fall apart.
Unless you are very skilled in working with metal and stuff, I wouldn't even try.
Sorry, probably not really helpfull, but just my idea.

No problem.. I can understand your perspective...
Now i'm really not doing this to be ''cool'' with a drum rack, that is the least on my mind.
I've adopted it more as a freelance project now...
 
Sounds like a fun project. If you have the means to fabricate your own clamps, go for it!

I have to wonder, though, what would you hope to accomplish? Racks and clamps aren't terribly expensive and they work very very well. You could spend a huge amount of effort trying to create something that has already been perfected.
 
Well my friend. I understand where you are coming from. I have been playing for 42 years and back then i had some issues with set up of toms over the bass drum. Wanting to customise my set up i started designing racks before they were widely available. After much frustration i have adapted a gibraltar bracket to some custom curved bars that attach to cymbal stands because i dont like rack legs. I suggest you save up and buy a rack that fits your needs and save yourself the worry. It will cost you more to make it yourself in the long run. Unless you find that no racks fit your needs. There are many designs and remember it must be light enough to carry, easy to pack down and set up too.
Have fun.
 
This is a tough one, given you live in South Africa. If you can fabricate your own clamps for next to nothing at your father's workplace, that's great, but in the end, you are trying to re-invent the wheel.

I live in the the USA, and I've been fortunate to have bought nearly four complete Gibraltar racks used (main crossbar plus wings) in the last three years, never paying more than about $150 USD. I'm sure the cost of a new rack where you live is exorbitant. Have you considered looking for something used on ebay or other sources to see if someone can ship to you for reasonable cost (also taking into accountany import duties)?
 
Being nearly 7 years ago, I think he probably came up with a solution. Or just gave up in the end. Reinventing the wheel isn't going to save you much of anything.
 
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