How to Make Drum Lugs
The purpose of a drum lug is to help maintain a constant pressure on the binding that is wrapped around the drum head. You can make a drum lug to mount onto the side of a homemade drum -- for example, a bongo drum -- using tools found around the house and a few supplies from a hardware store.
Things You'll Need
- Newspaper
- Homemade drum
- Ruler
- 8-inch wooden dowel
- Hand saw
- Utility knife
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Rag
- Pencil
Instructions
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1
Place a sheet of newspaper on a table. Stand the homemade drum on the newspaper with the end that will have the drumhead material added to it facing up.
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2
Measure the diameter of one of the lug holes cut in the side of the drum with a ruler. Place a wooden dowel that has the same diameter as the lug hole measurement horizontally on the newspaper.
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3
Measure 2 1/2 inches in from the left end of the dowel. Cut through the dowel at the 2 1/2-inch mark with a hand saw.
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4
Sharpen each end of the cut piece of dowel with the blade of a utility knife. Stop sharpening each end when there is a point. Smooth the sides of each point with fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe the pointed ends of the dowel that is now a drum lug with a rag to remove loose wood dust.
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5
Measure across the drum lug with the ruler. Make a dot at the halfway mark on the lug with a pencil. Score a circle around the lug at the pencil dot with the utility knife. Stop scoring the lug after you have made three revolutions with the knife.
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Tips & Warnings
Wear gloves when cutting the wooden dowel to protect your hands.
