Building a Stanbridge drum involves a process called segmented wood turning. The following slideshow illustrates some of the steps, tools and fixtures utilized in the creation of one of our instruments.
The Process
Working with the client, a drum design is agreed upon. In some cases a mock-up is helpful for final details.
We have a wide variety of well-seasoned timbers in stock. Strips are ripped to width on the tablesaw...
...and then blocks are very carefully mitered to size. Precision during this step is crucial for tight-fitting joinery.
Drumshell blocks are allowed to rest and find their moisture equilibrium throughout the construction phase.
Each shell ring is clamped under pressure and glued using adhesives designed for the wood species.
Rings are flattened and sanded smooth on an (aptly named) Drum Sander.
The rough shell (or Pineapple) is glued together under 4,400 lbs. of pressure in a custom-built vacuum chamber.
After turning and sanding the interior of the shell, the outside is ready to go from jagged to smooth.
I maintain a tolerance of 3/1000ths of an inch with this machine. After turning to size, the shell is sanded.
Details such as the smaller African Blackwood pinstripes are glued and clamped in precisely cut grooves.
Our high gloss UV Cure lacquer is extremely hard, and really brings out the intensity of the grain figure.
These partially completed African Blackwood Hoops are incredibly durable but challenging to lathe-turn.
Almost finished! The design calls for a thin Oak pinstripe in each hoop, and the cable slots still need to be cut in the reso.
One last test-fit and it is time to mark and drill this drum for hardware.
The finished instrument. Watch for a complete drum kit based on this snare drum design coming soon!