Thread: Drum shell

G'day Drumax. Don't know anything about drums but I heard an interview on the ABC radio from Cairns 4-5 years ago about the 'perfect' timber for guitar sound boxes. The intereviewee, a sawmiller from the Atherton Tablelands claimed there was a market for Bunya pine (Auracaria bidwillii) that he was selling to guitar makers as it was the perfect timber for the job. Maybe the same rules apply for drum bodies?
I hope you have understanding neighbours?

Drumax,

Welcome to the forum.

Stave or Segmented shells are relatively common. In regard to turning the "raw" shells............very few shell makers use traditional turning techniques for their shells, most use a sufficiently large metal working lathe which gives them not only the mass and rigidity needed (particularly for large shells), but also the automatic feed facilities..........this means they don't need to spend the many hours needed to become proficient in traditional turning.


I suggest you have a look at both the following forums which are primarily focused on drum making............ http://www.ghostnote.net/vbforum/ and http://www.drumshed.org/forum/ .........in particular, on Drumshed, search for a thread by Koko about "Turning a drumshell without a lathe", he has a very good jig which uses a router for shaping both the inside and outside of shells.

Barry, there are few Bunya pines along the French riviera, for ornamental purposes but not for timber applications. No idea about acoustic properties of said cousin of our native Black Locust. Thanks anyway
To Histring : I know the ghostnote and drumshed forumz where I've learned a while ago about router jigs used for rounding rather than truing a cylindrical shell. I will jump over there anyway.
How about your experience in building large shells ?

Drumax,

While I'm still mainly developing techniques and prototyping (ply shells), I am sticking with 14" shells........hopefully, other sizes will come in the future.

See you at GN or the 'Shed.

I have no idea on drum building, but this might be of interest

http://www.wirelessdatasys.com/dea/luthiery/bodhran.htm

Hi.....
This site is really cool.....
Thanks man.....

Welcome Drumax

As Histring said there are good drum forums about.
I have just built the koko drumshed router jig.
Just about to give it a test.

My experience is with African drums and have used a couple of different timbers.
I would like to see what drums you have or have made.

Originally Posted by Barry Hicks

G'day Drumax. Don't know anything about drums but I heard an interview on the ABC radio from Cairns 4-5 years ago about the 'perfect' timber for guitar sound boxes. The intereviewee, a sawmiller from the Atherton Tablelands claimed there was a market for Bunya pine (Auracaria bidwillii) that he was selling to guitar makers as it was the perfect timber for the job. Maybe the same rules apply for drum bodies?
I hope you have understanding neighbours?

Barry,

Bunya Pine is used for guitar soundboards, Cole Clarke is using them extensively in his instruments. I think that it would be too soft for drums.

Hi Sting,

Nice links!

Drumax,

Dont abandon us1 post some photos of your work,

Blackwood is good for Drums that I know well.
Cheers Bob,

hi,

Welcome Drumax

As Histring said there are good drum forums about.
I have just built the koko drumshed router jig.
Just about to give it a test.

My experience is with African drums and have used a couple of different timbers.
I would like to see what drums you have or have made.

Hi Chadcartwright,
Welcome.

Drumax is an old thread.

Some people drop in then disappear. Others never leave.

What are you building/interested in?