Over the weekend I was working on a rewrap project that I'd had in the works for a bit. I was so proud of the way the badge grommet turned out I decided to show it off by posting a couple of pictures at some Facebook groups. I also mentioned that I make my own brass grommets to use on drum restorations. This was something I've (semi) perfected over the years in an effort to get a grommet with the right look vs. most of the ones you can buy. After much trial and error, spread over about 15 years, I finally devised a way to do it that yields good results (3 times out of 5).
Here are the pictures I posted of the install job of my homemade new grommet...
Well that unleashed a torrent of questions and several requests for grommets. Sure, I could probably profit off this in some manner, but, lacking even the most basic entrepreneurial desires, what I did instead was make a video to show how it's done (am I simply that nice or just that foolish? I don't know). So here is the video showing how you can turn a piece of 7/16ths inch brass tubing from the hobby shop (K&S Precision Metals) into a nearly perfect drum grommet in about three easy steps. You need a double flare kit (Harbor freight has them) and a bit of practice and you should be able to crank out your own. Based on several videos I've watched about how to create real double flares for brake lines I don't think my arrived at method is actually the correct way to do that, but it works pretty well for drum grommets.
This should get you able to make your own grommets if you so desire, and you can make other sizes as well. As far as the "perfect" installation onto the shell I can't offer as much assistance. I am able to get that "factory" look because I shelled out $50 many years ago for the proper tool to do so. You can see it in the video. It has machined parts that put the perfect flange in the back side of the grommet when tightened down. You can make a tool that works on a similar principle for a couple of bucks worth of nuts and bolts from the hardware store. I tried several variations on that and never got quite the results I wanted. I guess you get what you pay for and I have never regretted buying the right tool. That was a long time ago though and I'm not sure if they are still available. It will only work for this sized grommet (7/16ths) too.
Anyway I'm sharing this here for anyone who's interested. Now I can move on to the final phase of this rewrap (12/14/20 in Burgundy sparkle. 12 & 14 are rewrapped in custom made wrap from Precision, 12 is a 60's shell, 14 is a new 3 ply shell from Bernie Stone, the 20 is all original, purchased as just a wrapped shell on ebay). I just need to get the hoops, claws, and rods for the bass drum.
Geez, it just now occurs to me...If I were smart I might have sold enough grommets to pay for those remaining required parts...DOH!
you can make them out of aluminum tubing too...
Here are the pictures I posted of the install job of my homemade new grommet...
Well that unleashed a torrent of questions and several requests for grommets. Sure, I could probably profit off this in some manner, but, lacking even the most basic entrepreneurial desires, what I did instead was make a video to show how it's done (am I simply that nice or just that foolish? I don't know). So here is the video showing how you can turn a piece of 7/16ths inch brass tubing from the hobby shop (K&S Precision Metals) into a nearly perfect drum grommet in about three easy steps. You need a double flare kit (Harbor freight has them) and a bit of practice and you should be able to crank out your own. Based on several videos I've watched about how to create real double flares for brake lines I don't think my arrived at method is actually the correct way to do that, but it works pretty well for drum grommets.
This should get you able to make your own grommets if you so desire, and you can make other sizes as well. As far as the "perfect" installation onto the shell I can't offer as much assistance. I am able to get that "factory" look because I shelled out $50 many years ago for the proper tool to do so. You can see it in the video. It has machined parts that put the perfect flange in the back side of the grommet when tightened down. You can make a tool that works on a similar principle for a couple of bucks worth of nuts and bolts from the hardware store. I tried several variations on that and never got quite the results I wanted. I guess you get what you pay for and I have never regretted buying the right tool. That was a long time ago though and I'm not sure if they are still available. It will only work for this sized grommet (7/16ths) too.
Anyway I'm sharing this here for anyone who's interested. Now I can move on to the final phase of this rewrap (12/14/20 in Burgundy sparkle. 12 & 14 are rewrapped in custom made wrap from Precision, 12 is a 60's shell, 14 is a new 3 ply shell from Bernie Stone, the 20 is all original, purchased as just a wrapped shell on ebay). I just need to get the hoops, claws, and rods for the bass drum.
Geez, it just now occurs to me...If I were smart I might have sold enough grommets to pay for those remaining required parts...DOH!
you can make them out of aluminum tubing too...