Fiberglass Drum manufacturing

[BRG]

I’m new here, thanks for approving me. I’m wondering if anybody can give me any information on fiberglass Drum manufacturing. I’m familiar with Jenkins Martin, Fibes, pearl, etc. What I’m really interested in though are the machines that make these drums and the process? Can anybody give me any leads on these types of machines necessary for spun fiberglass shells. Thanks for any help. I appreciate it.

BRG

 

[Sequimite]

Scott Jenkins give the process history in this interview, IIRC.

 

[Sequimite]

I will say that for Blaemire/Jenkins-Martin and Milestone/Tempus/Monolith it's mostly hand work. JM has a machine to provide tension to the glass filament but the hand sanding takes a very long time.

 

[BRG]

I will say that for Blaemire/Jenkins-Martin and Milestone/Tempus/Monolith it's mostly hand work. JM has a machine to provide tension to the glass filament but the hand sanding takes a very long time.

Thanks for the video link. Sounds like some innovative guys behind these JM shells.

 

[dtk]

Impact is also another name to think about in the FG history...mostly marching drums but....

 

[Sequimite]

Impact is also another name to think about in the FG history...mostly marching drums but....

I have a Grover 5x13 snare drum with an Impact shell. When Tempus shut down for a year or two Grover went to Stingray FG shells. Somewhere before or after Stingray they apparently used Impact.

 

[todfitz]

The machines that are used for lightweight firefighter SCBA setups could be used for drums. Extremely expensive unless you find one used.. The single fiber can be laid down in a variety of patterns.

 

[K.O.]

Lane Kennington custom makes fiberglass shells which are nearly identical to the ones Pearl produced in the early 1970s. As far as I know he's a one man operation. Not sure what type of equipment he might use but he gets good results.

 

[green glass drum]

These are old pics of Mr. Allen Blaemire making FG drum shells.....with his "machines."

 

[green glass drum]

Mr. Kennington is very good at shell making.....but he does not divulge info. on his "machines." I know....I asked him.
AND....that's OK.....I understand.

 

[Pedal_Pusher]

These are old pics of Mr. Allen Blaemire making FG drum shells.....with his "machines."View attachment 740527View attachment 740529

I visited Mr. Blaemire at his home in Eagle Rock, California in the early 1980's. If I remember correctly he told me his techniques for making his drums was based on a design that the Navy attempted for lighter weight torpedo casings or some sort of similar project. In any case, just another benefit of the military industrial complex. He was quite the gentleman and made very nice drums.

 

[groovemastergreg]

I suspect the marvelous retired owner of Tempus, Mr Paul Mason, could be asked, possibly for some compensation, these questions but I’m a big, 37 year owner of multiple Tempus kits in multiple sizes and Paul doeth know how to make a drum. I remember he wore a haz mat suit whilst he does it. Paul explained it in great detail lots of times on the old drumsmith and dfo forums. Not sure those are available. I recall vivid explanations from the forums in the 2000s.

But I forget the details. However, I believe in Tempus and wouldn’t hesitate getting a Tempus bop kit.

 

[Rob G.]

Fiberglass drums are the real deal. I have an Impact kit I would love to add on to but I doubt I’ll ever find orphans.