Building your own kit...

[Josh is a cult]

Im thinking about making a drum kit. Maby for myself... And I was wondering where to start, weather or not I should get the drums pre drilled and bearing edges done or not. What places have the best parts cheaper because I realize that this will not be a cheap project... Or if any one has ANY suggestions from a past expirence or somthing i might over look? Suggestions on finishes and how to accomplish it? Certain brands for certain parts?
And if this kit turns out well it will hopefully be dedicated to or placed in the honor of one of my best friends whom very recently passed away...so any input would be greatly apprecated
Thank you!
Josh

[harryconway]

Here's a good place to start. http://www.precisiondrum.com/

[Ozzy Biz]

Also, if you don't have good wood-working skills you should definitely get the bearing edges cut when you buy the shells, and if you are very unsure of your handy-work you could get the shells pre-drilled too. I was going to order a kit to build myself through precision drums but abandoned that idea because of the shipping costs to Australia. You won't have that issue though.

Biz

[the gayge]

Ozzy is on point, GET YOUR BEARING EDGES CUT!!! This is not an easy task at all. You need proper tools and plenty of practice to get an even acceptable edge on a shell.

I'm recommending this as seriously as possible: www.drumshed.org/forum

Read that site for at least a few months before even purchasing anything. I built a couple of snares a few years ago that turned out pretty poorly. I'm now building a kit that is coming out really well and its all because I researched the work for more than a year. Please please please take the time to enjoy that site before embarking on a project this huge and expensive.

Take care.

[grahamo87]

If this is your first kit, definately get the bearings cut. Drilling the holes isn't very hard, the only hard part about it is that you have 1 chance. Stains and lacquers are a good place to start. The best site I've found is www.drumfoundry.com or you can come over to the ghost note forums at ghostnote.com and there's oodles of people that can help you along the way. I'm working on a hybrid hollowbody snare right now, and the admins over at ghostnote have been more than happy to respond to my PMs with questions.

[Josh is a cult]

well I'll definately get the bearing edges done and prolly the holes drilled too just to save some time, and thanks for all of your responses! whats the best way to go about putting a wrap on the kit? should I sand it 1st? and I was thinking about doing a black pearl with a white pearl stripe through the middle, how could I accomplish that?

[boomboomda]

I don't think you need to sand the shells when you wrap them, because you don't want that shell too smooth, so the adhesive can hold on to the shell better.
Also, drilling holes is not that easy, especially if you use lugs that are not self aligning.
Then the holes have to be drilled absolutely correct, otherwise the tension rod will not go straight into the lug, and puts unwanted stress on the tension rod.

[Josh is a cult]

wow i never thought of that...the whole not aligning perfectly...but your defiantely correct.

[boomboomda]

If that is your first time I would definitely go with self aligning lugs.
With those you have a little bit tolerance for the holes.

[grahamo87]

hmm...i only used self-aligning lugs on my first kit. Ever since then I've used normal lugs. As long as you have a good level surface, are aware of what you're doing, and are careful, I don't see what the trouble is. By all means, get the holes pre-drilled, but its not nearly as difficult as cutting a good bearing edge IMHO

My advice....look on e-bay for some cheap shells....then use your existing lugs and practice layout on the cheap e-bay shell....

You can also use single lugs......easier to layout...

And I agree....get your edges cut...

[KCDrummer]

You're in luck! I've recently written an article for OnlineDrummer.com outlining the pros and cons of building your own drumset. I built mine four years ago, and I always recommend it to folks who are looking for a new set. Here's the link--

http://onlinedrummer.com/if_you_build_it.php

The article doesn't really deal with the "how to" aspects of building a drumset, it's more a list of things to consider before taking the project on. I can help you with the "how to" stuff, though, PM me if you have any questions!

[dom]

i have been wanting to build a kit for some time now. When i had the money to i just baught a set because i realized i didnt really know what i needed to do. I have been researching on drumshed.com and ghostnote.com and feel like i have a much much better understanding of what needs to be done.

I have started small refinishing my crappy enforcer, finishing the insides of sets with sealer, and A LOT of drum repair. Doing things like this will help you have a better understanding of what works and what doesnt. Then starting thinking about building a snare, then work up to a set.

do your research start small and have fun

[boomboomda]

I like your article "KCDrummer" it covers nicely the pro and cons of building your own set.
Cool.

Originally Posted by KCDrummer

You're in luck! I've recently written an article for OnlineDrummer.com outlining the pros and cons of building your own drumset. I built mine four years ago, and I always recommend it to folks who are looking for a new set. Here's the link--

http://onlinedrummer.com/if_you_build_it.php

The article doesn't really deal with the "how to" aspects of building a drumset, it's more a list of things to consider before taking the project on. I can help you with the "how to" stuff, though, PM me if you have any questions!

[KCDrummer]

Originally Posted by boomboomda

I like your article "KCDrummer" it covers nicely the pro and cons of building your own set.
Cool.

Thanks BBD! I'm hoping to get some pics this weekend, so look for them next week.

[boomboomda]

Oh great "KCDrummer" I love to see some pics. I also built my set, but I am working on it right now,doing some maintenance, I will post some picture of my drums too when I set them back up.

[Josh is a cult]

Well I have some "expirence" building drums...
I took my old CB floortom and took the wrap off painted and laquered it polished everything up and put a black line through the center, I did the same with an old tom except i made it with a white stripe and added snare parts to make a snare... I will eventually be getting a silver bass drum which I shall paint and make a silver stripe in the middle..then ill order all matching lugs make that snare a tom again and use one of my old snares once i get that fixed....
I BREAK WAY TOO MUCH STUFF!!!!
What do you think about my plan so far...I put up pictures as soon as i get a another new camera! probably after christmas..

[themac5150]

I posted this yesterday but it didn't show up... Hmm... Anyway, building your own is not cheaper. I wanted to build a 7 X 14, 10 ply maple snare, with a wrapped finish. Not including heads and snare wires, I could buy a Ludwig classic maple snare, wrapped finish for less from drumcentral.com! I wanted to do it just to say I did, and thought it would be fun. But I couldn't see spending more than a top end Ludwig snare. Drumfoundry has very good tutorials on laying out the drum for hardware, doesn't look too hard at all. I priced out the stuff to build a Bonham sized set. I bought my Ludwig Classic Maple Zep set shell pack for less than I could build the same thing. Shop around and you'll find good deals. If you want to build it, build it, it's not always going to be the cost effective way to go.

[Josh is a cult]

yeah thats definately somthing i need to consider...
I dont know if i got the cash to do everything i want...