so, the topic in gen drums discussion got me interested in the craft aspect and equipment utilized in cutting super awesome accurate bearing edges on drums. I think this question might be most fittingly answered by timekeep.








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Bearing edges can be cut on a router table. I have 3 different bits I use depending on what kind of cut I need. I have a 3/8ths roundover, 45 degree and 30 degree chamfer bits. Bearing edges aren't hard to do, it just takes practice, which can be the expensive part.








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www.pjclevenger.com

www.medicinemandrumsaz.com

DML Special: 20% off all drums.

Two wrongs don't make a right, but three rights do make a left!

im probably going to seem like a tool here but i recently made a snare, well at least a new shell at least from cutting about 17 or so maple pieces on an angle and joining them together and im trying to get a nicer sound from the maple, i know it will never sound brilliant but im taking what steps i can. anyway, what effect does the bearing edge have on the sound?








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Zildjian, Wuhan & Istanbul cymbals
Pearl & Mirage kit.
Crappiato Snare
Steve's Back! ..............kinda

The bearing edge is the most important factor to a good sounding drum. It affects sound, tuning, ring, etc.








_________________
www.pjclevenger.com

www.medicinemandrumsaz.com

DML Special: 20% off all drums.

Two wrongs don't make a right, but three rights do make a left!

well im pretty young (16) and because i spend all my spare cash on instruments (bass drums guitar) and accessories im pooooooor. so i cant afford to get a router table. The way i was thinking about doing mine it to first of all mark the diameter with a compass then hand route with in a few millimeters of the marking then file bank to the line by hand and finally sand to smooth it off a bit. would that be the best way, even though time consuming? and should i even round off the edge? would that change the sound?








_________________
Zildjian, Wuhan & Istanbul cymbals
Pearl & Mirage kit.
Crappiato Snare
Steve's Back! ..............kinda

Thats beginning to sould like the process my Gretsch Renown Maple got over in Taiwan.








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I wouldn't mess with them. If you don't do it right, you'll end up paying someone to do it anyway or you will ruin the shell.








_________________
www.pjclevenger.com

www.medicinemandrumsaz.com

DML Special: 20% off all drums.

Two wrongs don't make a right, but three rights do make a left!

question: is there a specific finish used on bearing edges after they're cut? polyurethane, oil, wax, lacquer? or is it generally just whatever the builder is using to finish the inside of the shell?








_________________
www.myspace.com/alanselectronicmuse

some companies will wax the edges, I just sand them and put a single coat of polycoat on them.








_________________
www.pjclevenger.com

www.medicinemandrumsaz.com

DML Special: 20% off all drums.

Two wrongs don't make a right, but three rights do make a left!

Timekeep69 wrote:

I wouldn't mess with them. If you don't do it right, you'll end up paying someone to do it anyway or you will ruin the shell.

I made the shell, so im not too worried about it and i wouldnt send it away i would be imbarrassed to have someone else route it.

antiunderscores wrote:

Timekeep69 wrote:

I wouldn't mess with them. If you don't do it right, you'll end up paying someone to do it anyway or you will ruin the shell.

I made the shell, so im not too worried about it and i wouldnt send it away i would be imbarrassed to have someone else route it.

Man, I agree with PJ. A bearing edge is so much more than people think. Embarrassment aside, send it to someone or find someone in the area to do it right. Doing it by hand is going to cost you more in the long run.








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SilverFox HR Sticks

DrumsPlus wrote:

antiunderscores wrote:

Timekeep69 wrote:

I wouldn't mess with them. If you don't do it right, you'll end up paying someone to do it anyway or you will ruin the shell.

I made the shell, so im not too worried about it and i wouldnt send it away i would be imbarrassed to have someone else route it.

Man, I agree with PJ. A bearing edge is so much more than people think. Embarrassment aside, send it to someone or find someone in the area to do it right. Doing it by hand is going to cost you more in the long run.

sorry i probably worded that wrong. its not so much embarrassments but more, its crappier than the price i would be paying for the bearing edges to be cut. plus im in Australia so i wouldnt know where to send them to get them cut. basically im looking to improve the sound because the current bearing edge is rough as guts and im wondering if the technique i mentioned earlier would be the best way for me to do it. and personally i would rather do it by hand with a file because i have more control over it








_________________
Zildjian, Wuhan & Istanbul cymbals
Pearl & Mirage kit.
Crappiato Snare
Steve's Back! ..............kinda

At least invest in a router table. Doing it by hand is going to be a nightmare.








_________________
www.pjclevenger.com

www.medicinemandrumsaz.com

DML Special: 20% off all drums.

Two wrongs don't make a right, but three rights do make a left!

Timekeep69 wrote:

At least invest in a router table. Doing it by hand is going to be a nightmare.

well the problem is i cant afford a router table i started doing it by hand today. Because of the way i made my shell (which is similar to the old wooden barrels used to store beer, etc) the outside wasn't perfectly round and the timber is quite thick. so after i got home from school and marked the circle i got the outside edge of one of the sides into the perfect circle with one of the files with the little teeth, i cant remember what they are called. tomorrow im going to route out the inside edge, not close to the line but deep enough so i can get the angle right with the un-named file-like tool. then do the inside edge on both sides and hopefully in a day or 2 i will be able to post saying how it all went and the improvement in the sound, then hopefully all that is left to do is replace the skins which are prehistoric and possibly the snare then i'll be finished.








_________________
Zildjian, Wuhan & Istanbul cymbals
Pearl & Mirage kit.
Crappiato Snare
Steve's Back! ..............kinda

so how do u guys think they would have done the bearing edges before power tools?








_________________
Zildjian, Wuhan & Istanbul cymbals
Pearl & Mirage kit.
Crappiato Snare
Steve's Back! ..............kinda

antiunderscores wrote:

so how do u guys think they would have done the bearing edges before power tools?

From what I understand bearing edges where different back then because of the head construction. The bearing edges where rounded, not cut like today.

What I would really suggest if you can't afford a table, is look around for someone who does wood working. Or may look at a local high school or tech shop class. They may already have the equipment and you can ask for help. I would hate to see you do all the work and then come away discouraged.








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_____________________
SilverFox HR Sticks

DrumsPlus wrote:

antiunderscores wrote:

so how do u guys think they would have done the bearing edges before power tools?

From what I understand bearing edges where different back then because of the head construction. The bearing edges where rounded, not cut like today.

What I would really suggest if you can't afford a table, is look around for someone who does wood working. Or may look at a local high school or tech shop class. They may already have the equipment and you can ask for help. I would hate to see you do all the work and then come away discouraged.

cheers for the advise, but today im going to try and finish the bearing edges by hand with a rasp. If it turns out poor then i will have learn my lesson, i will make another shell with better joins using better, thinner timber with better acoustic properties, i will be able to join the lugs better because of the thinner timber... then i will get the bearing edges done by someone more learned. sounded a bit like an evil genius there... And i will always have this snare as "my snare". And if this turns out well, perhaps there is a hand made alternative to the router table. But i will keep u posted, probably in the next 3-6 hours they will be finished, then i might actually make a topic on what i did and u guys can tell me where it improve. cheers for the advice though








_________________
Zildjian, Wuhan & Istanbul cymbals
Pearl & Mirage kit.
Crappiato Snare
Steve's Back! ..............kinda