Drilling cymbals

[lightningfast]

I am thinking of drilling a few holes in the bottom of my sabian b8 hi hats, has anyone ever tried this with a cheap pair of hi hats, what does everyone think? Will it give it more defined chick? Should I do it or not??

[Eddie Loves You]

It will give you a better chick, but I'm not sure exactly how to go about it. I'd imagine you'd drill at relatively slow speeds.

[bighairbigdrums]

I did mine. Lets the air out better and definately gives you a better "chick". Use a 1/2" bit made for metal . First I took a punch and marked my spots this also gave the bit a little dent to start in. Grabbed my little Black&Decker and voila.

[lightningfast]

Thanks for the reply, how many holes did you drill?

[Piksel]

Thanks for the reply, how many holes did you drill?

Keep it symmetrical. Start with 2, try them out, then add 2 more (in an even circular pattern) and keep going until you get your desired sound.

[p-mack]

this thread is great...
keep your cymbal drilling idead/methods coming!

[tsblo]

Be careful with what you do, Keep the holes close the the bell. My band director did this to a pair of B8 pro hats, with holes in the profile of the cymbal, and one hard press of the hi hat pedal and they inverted.

[bighairbigdrums]

Thanks for the reply, how many holes did you drill?

4 in the bell.

[Jazzer Ed]

I am thinking of drilling a few holes in the bottom of my sabian b8 hi hats, has anyone ever tried this with a cheap pair of hi hats, what does everyone think? Will it give it more defined chick? Should I do it or not??

It will let air escape, like a Zildjian Quick Beat bottom. A more defined chic is the result, but you lose the feel of air in there--some like that feel, some do not. If you do drill, start with center punch to give point of drill bit a seat so that it doesn't wander around. A heavy nail (in a cheap cymbal) will also make a point mark to anchor the drill point. Thes first drill with smallest diameter drill bit and move up until you get to the biggest. It's easiest to do this on the flat part of the hi hat bottom. I've drilled for rivets in very expensive cymbals without breaking one (Manhattan Jazz ride--8 small holes for rivets; K Con ride--for 2 rivets. Never had one crack. Nowadays factory and drum techs use punch, but when I was a kid music store guys drilled them (my first ride was a Zildjian A and I had a music store tech put 8 rivets in it (trying to get an Elvin sound out of it). I remember he told me they sometimes break but usually don't . I've never had one break. Just remember to use a punch and hit it hard with hammer, then start with smallest bit and work up to the size hole you want. Good luck!

[TheBigGiantHead]

Use a centerpunch to locate the hole...don't hit that hard. Some knuckle dragger with a big hammer could easily crack a cymbal. All ya do is tap the punch lightly...it's hardened steel against soft bronze...doesn't take much.

Don't start with the smallest bit and work your way up. That's, that's just...that's just senseless. You start with a small pilot-hole yes, around a #20, 1/8" or 3mm, but then you go right to the final 1/2" or 12mm bit. There's just no reason to gradually move up through all the bit sizes and I don't know why someone would suggest it. Seriously...that's ree-ree.

The last and most important step...lubricate the bit. Either dip the bit in a heavy oil or dribble some around the spot you're about to drill. This is important guys and should not be overlooked. You must keep the metal cool or you stand a very good chance of ruining the temper of the bronze. When overheated, the metal will become quite brittle and easy to crack.

The only thing easier than properly venting a bottom hihat...
is destroying a bottom hihat.