Convert concert toms without bearing edges?

[malkire]

I've got two 1970s Tama Imperialstar concert toms (14x10 & 15x12) and I've been playing around with the idea of converting them to double-sided toms. But I dont have a router table and have zero experience cutting bearing edges. I was curious if they would sound OK or terrible if I just drilled holes for the lugs and put rims and heads on a flat reso edge? Anyone have any experience with this?

I've considered shipping them out for professional work, but the shipping costs alone are preventing me from going this route. I think I ultimately will sell these drums, so I dont really want to spend much more money on them.

 

[amosguy]

Be aware of lug to edge spacing if you drill without cutting bearing edges. Won't be much different, but my OCD would come into play.

Put an ASK on local FB, Craigslist, NextDoor Neighborhood pages to see if someone local is willing to help with router skills. Even a school shop program?

 

[green glass drum]

I think you can do the edges IF:
You have a flat surface to flatten the edges and another to check.
Some sticky back 80 grit pads and some 220 to finish.
A sharpie/pencil and a palm sander for those sticky back pads you have.
Stick the disks on the flat surface in a ring configuration.
Set the drum on the disks and spin till it is flat.
Check on another flat surface for light peaking through.
If you want, you can check for square. IE: is the the drum the same length all around?
OK now it is flat on the new edge side.
Now take a sharpie or pencil and mark the center of the bearing edge.
Use the sander to gently shape a bevel to your center line.
Leave the center line. Don't go too far.
Smooth it down with 220 grit.
It is only 2 drums. It can be done without mucho dinero tools.
OR.......send it out to Precision.

 

[Georgia Phil]

Without a proper bearing edge they will sound awful and you will probably get rattling from the reso head as well. But there is a very simple solution. All you need is some sand paper. You can manually sand a pretty good roundover from a flat edge.

Just fold your paper into a strip about three inches wide by the full length of the sheet. Grab each end of the paper in a hand and straddle the paper over the edge. Sand it like you were buffing shoes after applying polish. Simple as that. Will take a little time and elbow grease but it's how it was done on drums back in the 19th century and before. If they could do it, you can do it.

Start with a rough grit like 60 or 80 to get the basic roundover shape, then go to 150 then to 220, then maybe to 400 if you want a really smooth edge, otherwise 220 may suffice.

 

[Geardaddy]

Contact West Coast Drum Shop in Bellevue Washington. They are local to you and should be able to help you out with getting edges put on your toms.

 

[amosguy]

Did not notice where you live. Jerry Garcia in Kenmore does excellent work - several times for me. Local and you can drop off for no shipping. Jerry does the work for West Coast Drums at time.

Will PM his email.

 

[Georgia Phil]

OR.......send it out to Precision.

Or send it to Georgia Phil to get a better edge for half the price.

 

[Redfern]

Or send it to Georgia Phil to get a better edge for half the price.

I think you need to change your name to Colorado Phil… ha! I got excited thinking you were in Georgia and I was about to get some edges taken care of locally. Dang..

 

[Georgia Phil]

I think you need to change your name to Colorado Phil… ha! I got excited thinking you were in Georgia and I was about to get some edges taken care of locally. Dang..

Nah, grew up there but moved away a long time ago. Might retire there some day.