How to Make a Snare Drum From Scratch

A snare drum has a distinctive sound that conjures up images of armies marching to war. The snare drum first made its appearance as a tabor in the Middle Ages, and gradually increased in size until it emerged in its present form in the 1600s. If you have ever desired to play a snare drum, consider making one from scratch. Read on to learn more.

Things You'll Need

• Drum shell
• Wood putty
• Putty knife or scrap wood
• Sandpaper and sandpaper block
• Foam (optional)
• 220 or 320 grit sandpaper (the kind that can be used wet)
• Palm sander (optional)
• Scrubbing pad
• Water-based dye
• Foam paint brush
• Air compressor
• Spray gun
• Polyurethane or lacquer
• 600 grit sandpaper
• 2,000 grit sandpaper
• Buffing bonnet
• Rubbing compound
• Masking tape
• Pencil
• Two snare drum heads
• Combination square
• Ruler
• 1/8th of an inch drill bit (brad tipped)
• Cordless drill
• Drill bit same size as mounting stud
• File
• Carnauba wax
• Soft cloth

Instructions

Prepare the Drum Shell for the Snare Drum

1. Order a drum shell. Unfinished drum shells are available at companies such as DrumMaker.com (see resources). Look for a shell that closely matches the dimensions of a snare drum which is 5 inches high by 14 to 16 inches in diameter.

2. Check the drum shell carefully for gaps. Fill any gaps with wood putty using a putty knife or a piece of scrap wood. Do not stint with the putty or be concerned with any excess. Since you will be sanding the shell down with sandpaper as well as subjecting it to the router table, any excess will be smoothed away. Allow the putty to dry.

3. Wrap sandpaper around a sandpaper block and sand the drum shell. Sand away any excess dried wood putty. To reduce the danger of scratching the drum shell on the work surface during this process, try placing the shell on a piece of foam.

4. Attach 220 or 320 grit sandpaper to the sandpaper block. If you prefer, you can use a palm sander. Carefully sand the outside of the drum shell until it is completely smooth and blemish-free. Take your time because any scratches you miss will be amplified when the finish dries.

5. Buff the drum shell with a nonmetal scouring pad until it has a bit of a gloss. A scouring pad that's made by 3M works well.

Dye the Drum Shell for the Snare Drum

1. Dip a corner of the foam brush into the dye. You don't need very much dye, so be careful to get rid of any excess before brush the dye on the shell.

2. Apply the dye to the drum shell. Carefully work the dye into the wood. Catch any drips before they dry to save yourself the headache of trying to fix them later.

3. Let the dye dry, then repeat the process at least five times until the wood is completely and evenly covered. Let the dye dry again before proceeding to the next step.

4. Buff any roughness the left behind by the dried dye. You may not be able to see the roughness, but you will be able to feel it. Buff the drum shell with the scouring pad. Be careful not to press down too hard because you could remove the dye and have to start the dying process again.

5. Use an air compressor to blow off any dye scrubbed free by the scouring pad. The drum shell must be completely smooth and clean before adding any finish. Blow off the inside of the drum shell with the air compressor as well.

Apply Finish to the Drum Shell

1. Use the spray gun to apply either polyurethane or lacquer finish to your drum shell. Remember to overlap each pass to create a smooth, even coat. Try allowing the drum shell to overhang from the work surface and turn the drum slowly with one hand as you spray with the other. Apply the finish to the drum shell with horizontal passes.

2. Let the coat of finish dry for a half hour, then apply another coat of finish. Do this once more, then allow the drum shell to dry overnight. Clean out your spray gun thoroughly with mineral spirits when you are done applying the finish.

3. Sand any roughness away with 320-grit sandpapert. Remember to sand gently so that you don't remove any of the finish.

4. Sand the drum shell with 600 grit sandpaper once the finish has dried. Try to make the finish look even. You will notice when you hold the drum shell up to the light that there will be lighter and darker patches. With your sandpaper, try to make all those patches the same color. A trick that will make this process easier is adding a few drops of liquid soap (dishwashing liquid works fine) fto a bucket of water. Keep your sandpaper moist through the sanding process. Wipe the drum shell with a soft cloth to keep an eye on your progress.

5. Add more coats of finish to your drum shell. Two more coats should be enough, but if you feel the drum shell needs more, add more. (see Section 3, Step 1).

6. Let the polyurethane dry overnight. Sand the drum shell with 600 grit sandpaper, using the same technique as in Section 3, Step 5. Wipe the drum shell with a soft cloth, then sand it with 2,000 grit sandpaper.

7. Apply rubbing compound to the drum shell with a buffing bonnet. These are available at auto parts stores. It is made of lambswool, and can come either in the form of a mitten or something that will fit over the head of your palm sander. You can find the rubbing compound there as well.

Plot the Holes for the Snare Drum

1. Set the drum shell on your work surface. The drum heads are available at DrumMaker.com (see resources). Slip one of the drum heads and the hoop over one end of the shell.

2. Rip a piece of masking tape and stick it to the drum shell beneath the hoop. The piece of tape should extend down nearly to the bottom of the drum shell. Carefully mark the position of the hole with a pencil. Repeat this process all the way around the drum shell.

3. Remove the hoop and drum head. Use a carpenter's square to draw a line down the center of the tape through the marks that you drew in the above step.

4. Find the center of the drum shell, and make a mark at that point on the tape with your pencil.

5. Lay one of the lugs for your drum on the work surface and measure the distance between its two holes. Divide this number in half, and use these calculations to draw corresponding marks on the tape. Double check your marks to make sure they line up with each other as well as with the lug. Take your time with this step.

6. Cut one more piece of tape and put them in between two of the pieces of tape you placed in Section 4, Step 3. Find the center of the drum with a ruler, and mark the new piece of tape with a pencil.

Drill the Holes for the Snare Drum

1. Use a one-eighth-inch drill bit with a brad tip to drill the holes through the marks you made. These holes will be the pilot holes for the mounting studs (drum parts come with the drum heads from DrumMaker.com, see resources).

2. Find a drill bit that's the same as the mounting studs. Use your drill to gradually make the holes you have drilled bigger.

3. Make sure the mounting stud fits snugly inside them. If the hole is not large enough, use a file to make the hole larger.

Finish Edges and Assemble Snare Drum

1. Sand the edges of the drum shell with 600 grit sandpape. Do a final sand with 2000 grit sand paper. Apply rubbing compound to polish the edges with a buffing bonnet.

2. Apply Carnauba wax to the edges with a soft cloth. Be careful to apply a little wax at a time and wipe away any excess. Buff the edges with another clean cloth.

3. Install the mounting studs and carefully tighten the screws. Be careful not to overtighten them. If you tighten them too much, you run the risk of stripping the threads, which will make themd impossible to adjust.

4. Install the lugs then slip on the first of the two heads, which is called a resonant head. Take the time to tune it by turning the keys to the right, making the head fit more tightly over the drum shell. Strike it with your sticks and adjust the keys until you like the sound.

5. Slip on the batter head on the bottom of the drum and tighten it. Use the same method as the above step. Test it as well, and tighten the keys until it sounds the way you like.

Tips & Warnings

• Take your time. Follow Norm Abram's advice and measure twice, cut once. Once you drill a hole, you can't undrill it.

Resources

• DrumMaker.com has drum shells
• Northern Tool and Equipment has a spray gun that will work