How to Make a Drum Set Shell

It takes time and proper craftsmanship to build a quality drum set shell. Although some shells are made of aluminum, brass and acrylic, a majority of drum set shells are made from wood. Professional and semi-professional shells are often made of woods such as; maple, birch and mahogany. Creating a drum set shell can be challenging, but with the proper tools and a little patience, you can create your own custom-made drum set shells right in your own home.

Things You'll Need

• Sheet of choice wood
• Tape measure
• Wood glue
• Circular saw
• Wood Sander
• Wood Plane
• Drum shaping form
• Large tub
• Two to four clamps or a leather strap

Instructions

1. You must first decide on the thickness of the drum shell. The thickness of a drum shell will determine the tone it produces. A thin shell will vibrate more and have a richer tone to it than a thick shell. Snare drums and bass drums usually have a thick shell which will vibrate less and produce a louder tone.

2. Now that the thickness of the shell has been chosen, you need to determine the size of the drum set shell you are going to create. Drum shell diameters vary, but some common sizes include, in inches, six, eight, 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18.

3. After choosing the type of wood you would like to work with, cut the wood with a circular saw into a strip based on the circumference of the drum. A 14 inch drum that is six inches deep would be: 14x6. To create a 14 x 6 drum shell, you would cut the wood to measure 14" in length and 6" in height.

4. Once the piece is cut, you will need to create a scarf joint so that the ends of the wood will be able to be fitted together. Using a plane, create the joint by tapering the top left side and the bottom right side. The ends should be tapered between 1/8 and 1/10 inches. The tapered ends will eventually be attached to each other to create the scarf joint. Once the joint is created, sand the wood to smooth all surfaces.

5. Place the wood into a large tub and let it soak in hot water. Soaking the wood will allow it to become more pliable and easier to bend. The wood will need to soak for a few hours and depending on the thickness, this could take up to 24 hours. Continue to add hot water periodically and check the wood until it bends easily.

6. Now that the wood is soft, it can be shaped. Carefully place the wood around the drum shape form. Attach the form to the wood using clamps or a leather strap. Make sure the fit is tight. If you use clamps, be sure to place cloth between the clamps and the wood to insure you do not damage the shell. Let the wood sit for an hour or more.

7. Once the shell has conformed, carefully remove the drum shape form. Use wood glue on the tapered ends of the scarf joint and press them together. Use clamps to hold the ends together. Once again, remember to place cloth between the clamps and the wood to protect the shell. Let the shell sit for at least 24 hours.

8. Remove the clamps and make sure the joint is sealed tightly. Carefully look over the shell and sand any rough areas. The drum set shell is now ready to be stained or wrapped to give it a finished appearance.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to wear proper safety gear when working with wood working tools. Goggles and gloves should be used when sawing or sanding.

References

• Drum Junction
• Oregon Drum

Resources

• Brady Drums