Help! I wan't to build my own drums!

Addieboii

Junior Member
Hello! I'm a guy from Sweden who wants to build my own drums to my project in school.
I was wondering how much time it would take to build a 5/6 piece drum.
I want to have:
10", 12", 14" (16") Tomtoms
14" Snare
22" Bassdrum

So if I'm working 100 hours. How much do you think I could do?

Also, I want to build drums that are in class with Drum Workshop(DW). Is that possible for a lower price?
Where do I start? How do I get the best sound and what makes the sound?

I got a Pearl ELX drumkit right now and I'm very happy with it. But the only problem is that the tuning won't stay. Every time I rehearse with my band I get to tune them and that's really annoying. So how do I prevent that from happening?

I would very much appreciate it if you could answer some of these questions!

// Addie
 
Hello! I'm a guy from Sweden who wants to build my own drums to my project in school.
I was wondering how much time it would take to build a 5/6 piece drum.
I want to have:
10", 12", 14" (16") Tomtoms
14" Snare
22" Bassdrum

So if I'm working 100 hours. How much do you think I could do?

Also, I want to build drums that are in class with Drum Workshop(DW). Is that possible for a lower price?
Where do I start? How do I get the best sound and what makes the sound?

I got a Pearl ELX drumkit right now and I'm very happy with it. But the only problem is that the tuning won't stay. Every time I rehearse with my band I get to tune them and that's really annoying. So how do I prevent that from happening?

I would very much appreciate it if you could answer some of these questions!

// Addie

Ok, a lot of questions in there, I'll try to answer them all.

Firstly, it depends what type of build you are doing. Are you building or buying the shells? Building shells (especially ply due to the specialist equipment needed to form them) is a huge, time consuming job. If you're buying them from Keller or Vaughncraft or wherever, it'll reduce the build time considerably. What you'll have to do for each drum is (in no particular order)

Bearing edges - these need to be perfect for that 'DW' quality (who incidentally used to use Keller shells)
Drilling for hardware
Snare beds on the snare drum
Finishing the shells - stain, paint, wax, wraps, etc etc etc.
Assemble.

You'll need a LOT of parts too. Lugs, tension rods, hoops, throw-off, butt plate, spurs etc etc. and the quality of these will also have a bearing on the sound.

As far as the tuning goes, try LugLocks. Small plastic squares that hold the tension rod in place so it can't slip loose.

My honest opinion, for a 100 hour build, would be just to kick off with a snare drum, especially if you haven't built before. You'll be amazed at how easily it can go wrong! In 100 hours, you should be able to get a killer snare build done, and if that goes well, you can consider the rest at a later date.

Also be aware that you'll need some pretty hardcore machinery to get it right. Router tables, press drills, buffing wheels. This really is a big job!!

Not to put you off, just making you aware of what it takes, man!
 
Ok, a lot of questions in there, I'll try to answer them all.

Firstly, it depends what type of build you are doing. Are you building or buying the shells? Building shells (especially ply due to the specialist equipment needed to form them) is a huge, time consuming job. If you're buying them from Keller or Vaughncraft or wherever, it'll reduce the build time considerably. What you'll have to do for each drum is (in no particular order)

Bearing edges - these need to be perfect for that 'DW' quality (who incidentally used to use Keller shells)
Drilling for hardware
Snare beds on the snare drum
Finishing the shells - stain, paint, wax, wraps, etc etc etc.
Assemble.

You'll need a LOT of parts too. Lugs, tension rods, hoops, throw-off, butt plate, spurs etc etc. and the quality of these will also have a bearing on the sound.

As far as the tuning goes, try LugLocks. Small plastic squares that hold the tension rod in place so it can't slip loose.

My honest opinion, for a 100 hour build, would be just to kick off with a snare drum, especially if you haven't built before. You'll be amazed at how easily it can go wrong! In 100 hours, you should be able to get a killer snare build done, and if that goes well, you can consider the rest at a later date.

Also be aware that you'll need some pretty hardcore machinery to get it right. Router tables, press drills, buffing wheels. This really is a big job!!

Not to put you off, just making you aware of what it takes, man!

Thank you very much for your answer! I think I'll just start with a snare drum then! I think that I've got the heavy machinery available too! Can you give me some tips of videos that can help me with my snare drum building? :)
 
Thank you very much for your answer! I think I'll just start with a snare drum then! I think that I've got the heavy machinery available too! Can you give me some tips of videos that can help me with my snare drum building? :)

Honestly, there are not many videos that really help that I've found. May I suggest stripping a snare drum and seeing how it is built? You can get a template for where to drill your holes from Tiki Drums in the UK, but edges, beds etc are the real skill here. Research online as to what edges you want before tabling the shell to get them right, and cut the snare beds by hand slowly. Make sure you measure everything at least 3 times before you drill or cut anything. Also source your hardware and use it all for marking up before you commit to drilling.
 
Hello! I'm a guy from Sweden who wants to build my own drums to my project in school.

Also, I want to build drums that are in class with Drum Workshop(DW). Is that possible for a lower price? Where do I start? How do I get the best sound and what makes the sound?

I got a Pearl ELX drumkit right now and I'm very happy with it. But the only problem is that the tuning won't stay. Every time I rehearse with my band I get to tune them and that's really annoying. So how do I prevent that from happening?

I would very much appreciate it if you could answer some of these questions!

// Addie

I don't want to rain on your parade but chances are that for a first time drum builder you will be lucky to get something that is round, much less DW quality. As suggested above, I'd start out small with a snare drum. Even refinishing a full drum kit takes a long ass time.

If you're buying shells, well most of the hard work is already done. If you want some super duper informatics then wait for KIS to post or message him, he does the Guru drums.
 
I don't want to rain on your parade but chances are that for a first time drum builder you will be lucky to get something that is round, much less DW quality. As suggested above, I'd start out small with a snare drum. Even refinishing a full drum kit takes a long ass time.

If you're buying shells, well most of the hard work is already done. If you want some super duper informatics then wait for KIS to post or message him, he does the Guru drums.

Yeah, Andy (Keep it simple) is, by both reputation and brand, the guru of all things drum building (sorry for the bad pun, Andy!)
 
Having the desire to build a kit won't cut it. You will need skill, experience, and knowledge first and then you might successfully build a good sounding kit. My advice would be to do a lot of research and find out WHY a good sounding drum sounds good and then buy a shell and build a snare out of it, put a nice finish on it and see how it sounds, then go from there.
 
www.ghostenote.net is a drum builders forum. they can help you
This is very good advice. There's a lot of guys there who build drums for a hobby, as well as some who build professionally.

As others have advised here, do your homework, then when you think you've got the knowledge nailed down, do your homework again.

If you want a DW style drum, then starting with a Keller shell is a good thing to consider. They're not especially expensive, &, despite DW marketing spiel, they're still pretty close to the DW shells of today.

Don't even think of building a kit until you've mastered a couple of snares.



Good luck.
 
Everyone here is pretty much spot on. Try a snare first. Study, research, study and research some more before starting.

An entire kit is a huge project with a lot of time involved. There are numerous resources so check out all of them you can. What one site may lack, another might make up for, etc.

The cost can vary GREATLY depending on the parts you choose. Personally if this will be your first drum, I would suggest you have the bearing edges cut by the drum shell supplier. Save your time and money and SKIP drummaker dot com!!!
Even doing a drum wrap for the finish isn't an easy task to get looking professional. Painting a drum is a whole new ball game to get really professional looking results.

If by chance you would like to takle a finish, I made an in depth video tutorial last year on how to do a drum fade from a stained color showing grain to a solid color. It's over an hour and a half totalling 13 videos but it does go into great depth as far as technique, materials used, etc. Keep in mind that the videos only show steps of the process and not the entire process so even though the videos total an hour and a half, it takes much longer to do one drum!!

The video is here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFDKugRnvss

Although these pictures are a year old you still get the idea of what a great finsih can do for a drum. A lot of hardware and another kick has since been added.
Main.jpg

Drums

Tom14.jpg
 
Also, I want to build drums that are in class with Drum Workshop(DW). Is that possible for a lower price?


I got a Pearl ELX drumkit right now and I'm very happy with it. But the only problem is that the tuning won't stay. Every time I rehearse with my band I get to tune them and that's really annoying. So how do I prevent that from happening?

Building drums is like building anything, an amature builder can end up with the same result as a pro, only the pro can do it in less time.

Your safest bet is order shells as close as possible to DW spec i.e. bearing edge cut, wood type/ply count, have the shell supplier drill all your holes, then all you have to do is finish and assemble your hardware. It won't be as cheap as a good quality used set, but lees than a good quality new set.

Even so, once this project set is done, it might have the same de tuning issues as your ELX kit.

For de tuning just get some TIGHT SCREWS. You don't need to replaces every rod w/TIGHT SCREWS, just a good number.
 
Wow stuperprohero!!!! I watched the whole enchilada and you are the man! Obviously to call you handy is an understatement. You have just inspired me to undertake this process. Slowly, though, as I am not as deftly gifted as yourself. Think I'll purchase a snare shell with edges, beds and hardware drilled for. Then, I shall finish!!
 
Building drums is like building anything, an amature builder can end up with the same result as a pro, only the pro can do it in less time.
If you're talking about finishing a shell someone else built, then yes. If you include the most important bit of drum building, the shell itself, then no, unless you've done it consistently before.
 
Wow stuperprohero!!!! I watched the whole enchilada and you are the man! Obviously to call you handy is an understatement. You have just inspired me to undertake this process. Slowly, though, as I am not as deftly gifted as yourself. Think I'll purchase a snare shell with edges, beds and hardware drilled for. Then, I shall finish!!

So glad you enjoyed the videos Bonzo!!! And THAT my friend is exactly why I made the tutorials. In hopes to inspire others to just get in there and just do it. It's fun and exciting. And when they are done, they are all YOURS! Your work, your blood, your sweat, your tears. Lol.

I was tired of all the marginal videos on ytube so when I did the kick and floors I decided to film.
I was debating on starting a thread here to hopefully inspire others.

Good luck with your project and PLEASE post progress pics. If you have any questions feel free to PM me.

The following paragraphs are to save you headaches and frustration and from learning the hard way like I had to! (beginning of rant) BEWARE of getting that snare shell with edges and bed at drummaker. Frickin place is LAME! Cut my snare bearing edges the first time as a SINGLE 45 degree that had the high side clear out on the edge of the shell!! STUPID! Not to mention they NEVER get your stuff right(mixed parts, wrong parts), piss poor communication. Oh well, he screwed up bigtime because I purchased the snare shell as a test. They failed so I dumped about a grand on shells at Precision drum.
And by the way, Precision got EVERYTHING right and I don't believe I've seen as good bearing edges as what Precision does.Top notch bearing edges from them. I don't now anyone there and don't work for them, but I damn sure know from experience they get it right the first time and in a very acceptable time frame. Unlike drummaker!! (End of rant)
 
If you're talking about finishing a shell someone else built, then yes. If you include the most important bit of drum building, the shell itself, then no, unless you've done it consistently before.

Its true with building anything, including building a drum shell.

If you're talking about not having all the building info, then of course the end product won't be the same, but with all the info/spec's, the same result can be had (maybe even better), it'll just take a lot longer.

Don't under value the words, 'a lot' longer could be months, years, but the end result could easily be the same/better.

Construction of functional objects is a skill, at times their design 'could' be considered an art.

As an example, if two different craftsmen built two sets of drums in the LUDWIG factory, there's no way you could tell who built what finished product, it happens all the time.

If one of those craftsmen never built a set of drums b/f, it would take him longer than the other- in saying the other had 30 years experience in the factory, tho they could still end up with the same result.
 
COME TO COLORADO !
If you make it to the states we teach two classes at RRCC next semester on drum building. One on the set and one on the snare. They cover bending your own shells (you get to take your high pressure molds home with you at the end of the semester ) high gloss lacquering, vacuum veneering, bearing edge design, bending and a ton of other stuff that basically blow DW's work out of the water. I have a student who did a 4 ply (1/4") X grain shell out of African mahogany, reinforced it with 3 k carbon fiber and covered it in a radial book match of camphor burl on the outside veneered the inside in curly maple and turned it nesting shell.... And hes never built drums before in his life all he had was the desire ..

check out he article

http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-879703

Hopefully Ill see some of you in the spring :)
 
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