Seems to me, if you drill pilot holes for the brads, you stand a real good chance of having the brads sit loose. That doesn't seem the optimum choice. You might want to hammer them in. Right, wrong, or indifferent, that would be my direction if I were in your sandals.

In my past experiences in installing fasteners, I have usually drilled a pilot hole.

this removes enough material to allow the nail/screw to pass through the

material you're working with. Kepp in mind that you're going through MAPLE,

which is one of the hardest woods out there. The size of drill bit I would use

would probably be aroung 1/16" or so in diameter. First, location exactly where you wish to position the scrip. Then take a fine-tip marker and mark

the three hole locations. Then drill the 3 pilot holes. When you drive the nails, be sure to strike them squarely and firmly, in order to drive the nail

throught the maple shell. Steady as she goes! Hope this helps.

Thanks for the suggestions. I decided to hammer w/o drilling and,it worked great! First I removed the existing badge from what will be the back of the drum and,re-installed another not so shiny badge in its place. Then,I measured the back badge holes,marked the same measurements on some masking tape on the front of the shell. Then,I hammered a pilot hole in the center badge hole,removed the tape,hammered the original shiny badge in with all 3 nails and it's nice and tight. One mistake I made was not bending the badges to the shell first time around so,I removed the back badge which was loose,bent it and,re installed and did the same before installing the front badge and now,they are both nice and tight!Thanks again for the input!