Old 11-08-2010, 06:43 PM
#1
Bharrington Bharrington is offline
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Default Ludwig Project - Water Damage
Hi everyone,

I decided I'd offer some insight to a project I worked on recently if anyone is interested. It was a 1960's Ludwig 20"x14" bass drum I wanted to "rescue" from a basement on craigslist. Of course, we can only demand so many blurry cell phone pictures and answers from the non-drum world and can't always be so lucky with our purchases. I had no idea when I purchased the drum that its alleged "spot with paint missing on the inside" meant a bubbled, water-damaged spot, but in the end it was too late (and too expensive) to ship back and decided I would take it on as a project and learning experience.

After doing some light clean up on the drum, the shell seemed to be pretty promising aside from some uneven fade. Could be a really fun "beater" bass drum, with some vintage mojo, I figure.

Well, what does one do with an inner ply that has bubbled up in multiple spots? I managed to re-wet the shell (just slightly to prevent more cracking from the outermost ply), inject hi-strength wood glue and press.

Photo 1 - What I started with, a bit hard to tell from the picture but there was a lot of "lumpy" spots in the ply.
Photo 2 - During the "press" step.
Photo 3 - Dried after the "glue press" step.
Photo 4 - After the wood filler was applied.
PHoto 5 - After cleaning the inside and outside a little.

I planned on repainting the whole inside but the rest of the inside drum is so perfect that I felt I could maybe get away with repainting just the one spot. All in all, it turned out pretty well so far but the rest has been put on hold for a bit. Definitely the dirtiest and most work required within a single drum, but it's been an experience... Enjoy!

-BH

These drums are also for sale, together or separately. PM me if interested.
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Last edited by Bharrington; 11-09-2010 at 11:45 AM.
Old 11-08-2010, 06:49 PM
#2
Bharrington Bharrington is offline
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Default Re: Ludwig Project - Water Damage
This drum did come with a brother, a matching 12"x8". Here are photos of this drum cleaned up. It also took a lot of basic cleaning work, but it turned out just beautiful with no water damage issues or anything of the sort.
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Old 11-08-2010, 07:14 PM
#3
Ludwig-dude Ludwig-dude is offline
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Default Re: Ludwig Project - Water Damage
Nice job! Sometimes you can save them like this and well...sometimes you can't. Glad to see you could on this one.
Old 11-09-2010, 12:06 AM
#4
vintage drum bug vintage drum bug is offline
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Default Re: Ludwig Project - Water Damage
I did that same job a couple of months ago and youve been really lucky because the white painted interior allows to get away really good with the repairment performed. I manage to leave it almost impossible to spot. Now I have the same project waiting for me on a Blue silk Mach 4 14x24 bass drum...The problem is that is a natural interior...and Boy! I dont know if Im going to be able to get away ok this time around!
Old 11-09-2010, 12:32 AM
#5
backbeatkeeper backbeatkeeper is offline
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Default Re: Ludwig Project - Water Damage
Can you explain in more detail the "press step" I have a Camco bass drum with a slightly larger issue than yours and I might find it useful.

BBK
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Its better to have people think you're an idiot, than to open your mouth and prove them wrong, unless you doubt yourself then speak away....
Old 11-09-2010, 11:44 AM
#6
Bharrington Bharrington is offline
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Default Re: Ludwig Project - Water Damage
Ludwig-Dude - I was totally ready to toss this thing out into the street when I pulled it out of the box. It's a good thing I slept on the idea and went for it!

Drum bug - Yes, I did luck out with the white interior, though I think if the repair was done, it was done and people should know. Probably just a think clear coat on the spot to touch up? I can't remember what Ludwig was using for their interior clear-coats by that time...

BBK - Sure. I pressed down the "bubbles" in sections, so I didn't have to deal with putting tons of glue in the shell at once, making sure it all was sitting tight, etc. I wanted to make sure to work it slow because there were of loose spots in the outer ply (the painted interior ply). As you can see in the picture, I'm using two clamps (one by each edge) and a board (cut to the distance between each reinforcement ring) pressing down thick drafting board (Crescent Brand board). I started at one side of the damaged section, working my way over to the opposite end in sections. Each time I think I gave at least forty minutes or so to dry with the clamp on. I also made sure to wipe off the excess glue as much as possible before I left the clamp on to dry so the glue wouldn't stick to the board. The Crescent board works really nice because it is pretty thick but it will also bend enough to be flush with the shell. Once I pinched around the shell, making sure everything was solid I sanded it down a bit (to remove any excess glue) and filled in the split spots with paintable wood filler.
Old 11-13-2010, 12:08 AM
#7
Boscoe Boscoe is offline
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Default Re: Ludwig Project - Water Damage
Good job Billy, you saved another one.
Old 11-13-2010, 10:02 AM
#8
poppy79424 poppy79424 is offline
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Default Re: Ludwig Project - Water Damage
I have done a repair almost exactly like this. I used a piece of a drum shell on both sides of the repair and used a c-clamp. I believe a regular C-Clamp, clamps much tighter than the trigger type bar clamp you used. just sayin'

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bharrington View Post
Hi everyone,

I decided I'd offer some insight to a project I worked on recently if anyone is interested. It was a 1960's Ludwig 20"x14" bass drum I wanted to "rescue" from a basement on craigslist. Of course, we can only demand so many blurry cell phone pictures and answers from the non-drum world and can't always be so lucky with our purchases. I had no idea when I purchased the drum that its alleged "spot with paint missing on the inside" meant a bubbled, water-damaged spot, but in the end it was too late (and too expensive) to ship back and decided I would take it on as a project and learning experience.

After doing some light clean up on the drum, the shell seemed to be pretty promising aside from some uneven fade. Could be a really fun "beater" bass drum, with some vintage mojo, I figure.

Well, what does one do with an inner ply that has bubbled up in multiple spots? I managed to re-wet the shell (just slightly to prevent more cracking from the outermost ply), inject hi-strength wood glue and press.

Photo 1 - What I started with, a bit hard to tell from the picture but there was a lot of "lumpy" spots in the ply.
Photo 2 - During the "press" step.
Photo 3 - Dried after the "glue press" step.
Photo 4 - After the wood filler was applied.
PHoto 5 - After cleaning the inside and outside a little.

I planned on repainting the whole inside but the rest of the inside drum is so perfect that I felt I could maybe get away with repainting just the one spot. All in all, it turned out pretty well so far but the rest has been put on hold for a bit. Definitely the dirtiest and most work required within a single drum, but it's been an experience... Enjoy!

-BH

These drums are also for sale, together or separately. PM me if interested.
__________________
1960's SONOR 12-16-20-14 blue slate pearl
1968 LUDWIG 12-13-16-22-14Sky blue P
1972 LUDWIG 12-13-16-22-14BlueVistalite
1972 LUDWIG 12-13-16-22-(14 impostor)BlackPanther "SOLD"
1964 Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl 22-12-13-16-14Supra "SOLD"
1969 LUDWIG 12-13-16-22-14 Citrus Mod "SOLD"
1969 LUDWIG Sexto-Plus 8-1 0-12-13-14-15-16-20-20-14 Silver Sparkle
60's Majestic Delux 12-13-16-22-14 red pearl
2009 Homemade Kids 8-10-13-16-12 Orange Sparkle
24 kits, 80 Snares, 65 Cymbals
Don't tell my wife!
Old 12-03-2013, 03:33 PM
#9
Ukelele55 Ukelele55 is offline
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Join Date: Dec 2013
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Default Re: Ludwig Project - Water Damage
Greetings and bold salutations to the group...

I have just joined the forum... I found the group through an internet search as I am looking for ways to re-furb my vintage 60's Ludwig kit. I have a set of Ludwig "Super Classics" purchased new in 1967 by my late brother. He and I shared them in those earlier years, I subsequently inherited them after his tragic passing in 1972. Needless to say this drum kit has immense sentimental value to me.

I was amazed when I found this thread so quickly, as it is exactly the repair that my 14" x 22" bass drum needs. It suffered some water damage 10 years ago that looks remarkably like the photos posted. It would seem that I will be able to recover the outer ply to a more or less original appearance using this 'pressure and glue' technique. I will proceed with only the utmost caution, as I do not wish to do any more harm than has already occurred. The instructions and replies are leading me to believe that I have an excellent opportunity to 'fix' my problem...

QUESTION: The original post in 2010 stated "I managed to re-wet the shell (just slightly to prevent more cracking from the outermost ply), inject hi-strength wood glue and press." - I am having difficulty deciding how to do the 'wetting', and am also reading glue instructions elsewhere that call for plies under repair to be absolutely dry before bonding. Should I use damp towels to infuse the plies? Do I dampen, flatten under pressure, allow to dry, then apply glue, re-clamp, etc..? The process looks relatively simple, I just need a little clarity - any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Kris
Old 12-03-2013, 08:59 PM
#10
poppy79424 poppy79424 is offline
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Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Lubbock, Texas
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Default Re: Ludwig Project - Water Damage
Can you post pics of the damaged area? If the shell is bubbled up you will have to dampen it to get it pliable enough to repair it. If you don't the shell will probably splinter when you clamp it. I would lay a piece of wet cloth over the problem area and let it sit for a bit till the wood is wet. Inject glue under the warped ply with a medical syringe, get a piece of a old shell to put under each side of the clamp, and something like a piece of rubber or leather on the outer shell to protect the finish, then clamp the sh*t out of it. Due to the dampening of the shell I would let it sit for at least 24 hours and more if you can.
__________________
1960's SONOR 12-16-20-14 blue slate pearl
1968 LUDWIG 12-13-16-22-14Sky blue P
1972 LUDWIG 12-13-16-22-14BlueVistalite
1972 LUDWIG 12-13-16-22-(14 impostor)BlackPanther "SOLD"
1964 Ludwig Oyster Black Pearl 22-12-13-16-14Supra "SOLD"
1969 LUDWIG 12-13-16-22-14 Citrus Mod "SOLD"
1969 LUDWIG Sexto-Plus 8-1 0-12-13-14-15-16-20-20-14 Silver Sparkle
60's Majestic Delux 12-13-16-22-14 red pearl
2009 Homemade Kids 8-10-13-16-12 Orange Sparkle
24 kits, 80 Snares, 65 Cymbals
Don't tell my wife!
 

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