I wonder if Buddy preferred the Rogers design because it requires a drum key to adjust the height? Much less chance of someone fiddling with the height setting that way. More of a set it and forget it mechanism, whereas the more typical wing or T bolt height adjustment begs to be monkeyed with.

Good points all KO! Buddy stayed with his Rogers hardware through Trixon/VOX, and most of it with his Fibes, and continuing with those "L" arms with Slingerland... as well as his Rogers Swivo-Matic pedal with Slingerland as well. Had to be that nicely designed and functional Rogers hardware!

Tommyp

Steve Maxwell confirmed my message that the units are chrome plated as with the originals. As far as chrome itself is concerned, and 'L' arms that seem to have less chrome than expected, chroming process from time to time fail in QC too. If the chrome is thin or missing, it can be the result of a trainee on the buffing machine. The process when I worked a shop as a teenager was pickling to degrease, copper, nickel and chrome. Then it went to the buffing machine, where only the best were supposed to have a hand in it because you can burn through the chrome easily.

[QUOTE=Dan Boucher;375592]Steve Maxwell confirmed my message that the units are chrome plated as with the originals. As far as chrome itself is concerned, and 'L' arms that seem to have less chrome than expected, chroming process from time to time fail in QC too. If the chrome is thin or missing, it can be the result of a trainee on the buffing machine. The process when I worked a shop as a teenager was pickling to degrease, copper, nickel and chrome. Then it went to the buffing machine, where only the best were supposed to have a hand in it because you can burn through the chrome easily.

Very interesting Dan! So... we have to figure that Rogers would NOT let those out for sale or get past their QC if they had no chrome, right? So ... perhaps they looked fine!, went out the door, and then as the years went by, the chrome flaked off/disappeared due to something that wasn't quite right in the manufacturing/buffing process. That does seem to make sense, and... there aren't all that many that have NO CHROME out there that I have seen or heard about. Actually, I thought I had the only one! Apparently not!

Tommyp

Dan!

Glad you got confirmation about the chrome...and the process that needs to be done to insure good quality. Makes me rest easy about ordering a Maxwell repro for my 80N Buddy kit, which I'll use for the ride cymbal.

-Mark

Just for fun here is a comparison of a typical vintage drum hardware wing nut alongside a current off-the-shelf model of the same thread. This is a picture I took several years ago when this topic came up.

I wonder if Steve is getting the correct sized ones made up for his arm or using the ready made ones?

I just viewed the video on this L arm at Steve's website. Here it is... http://www.maxwelldrums.com/rogers-cymbal-swivomatic-style-tilter-p-14366.html

The chrome looks very nice in the video. Still, I'm just not impressed with the felt washer and wingnut. Can't even see if there is a rubber or nylon sleeve. The closest you'll get to correct Rogers tilter parts would be from Jim Petty, of JP2 Creations. A full set, consisting of the metal cymbal washer, felt washer, black rubber sleeve and wing nut will set you back $9.75, not including shipping. I've ordered these in the past from Jim and they are excellent reproductions. What Steve should do is to get these from Jim and include them with the L arm. I'm sure that Steve could work out a good price with Jim. Don't know about you guys, but I'd pay an extra $10 to have correct looking tilter parts! Just a suggestion!

-Mark

... and so would I Mark! Reference my previous comment about OCD! I agree completely, but fortunately for me, I have all OEM Rogers "L" arms .. but .. if I didn't, and needed it, I would grab The Steve Maxwell repro in a NY second and swap out/in the correct parts as you have mentioned for the ultimate in aesthetic authenticity!

Tommyp

TP!

Trust me, you don't have to tell me about OCD!! While I've seen some nice arms for sale, usually on eBay, they sell for too much money. Then, there are the ones that also sell for high prices, but are really cosmetically, and sometimes physically, challenged!

Since I only would need one arm, I may break down and get the Maxwell, along with the proper tilter parts from JP.

-Mark