How to fix a dented Acrolite??

[Drakken]

The other week I picked up a 1967 Acrolite at an estate sale for $75 (with the original case and stand). It wasn't until I got home and really looked it over that I noticed that it looks as if it had been dropped on the strainer. I was wondering if anyone had any advice on getting these dents out. I was thinking of either using a sandbag under the drum and then working them out with a small piece of wood and a deadblow hammer OR trace the curve of the drum on a piece of wood, cut that out and use a clamp to push it back into shape. My guitarist suggested I go to one of those dent removal places, but I'm not sure how much they would charge to do it.
You can see how the lever is up against the rim.

The bottom

Inside


It's not real bad, but I would love to get that lever off the rim. It doesn't have to be perfect, I'm not going to sell it, I just would like it fixed.

[RushDrums24]

5:49 should help.

[Drakken]

5:49 should help.

Thanks!! I love his videos and I saw this one the other day, but I had not gotten around to watching it again. I forgot he did a dent fix on it.

[Drumming-4-Life]

It wasn't really much of a fix... the drum was still dented when he was done. There must be a better way. Do you know any automobile ding/dent removal services near you? A guy who fixed dings in my car was able to pull a ding out of my fridge. He says that he's more successful pulling out dents, than pushing them out from within.

[Andy H]

I'd go cheap. For a $75 drum, it's not worth putting lots of money into it. Here's what I'd do:

1. Remove all hardware.
2. Place dented portion on a carpeted floor and see if you can gently push out the dent with your thumbs.
3. If thumbs don't work, try pushing with the rounded end (handle) of a screwdriver.
4. If that doesn't work, gently tap it out with a dead blow hammer and block of wood.

I fixed an out-of-round aluminum sensitone shell years ago simply by removing the hardware and gently pushing the shell against a carpeted floor. It popped back to perfection and has never changed. I think the metal "liked" its original shape and "remembered" where it was supposed to be. I little push from me was all it took to bring it back.

EDIT: I do like the idea of having a professional auto body fix dents. Not bad advice. I'd definitely do it for an "expensive" snare ($150 and above). Anything below that, I'd probably do myself. Of course, it all depend upon how much they're gonna charge you. I'd guess we're talking $50 to fix, but I'm just guessing.

[dexplosion]

I was thinking of either using a sandbag under the drum and then working them out with a small piece of wood and a deadblow hammer

I had an Acro with the same problem, and that's basically what I did to it,
except I only had a round plastic hammer/mallet and the top of a bar stool.
Just go at it gently.

[oldbatterhead]

Here is another solution you could try if you have the tools and the patience and some hardwood kicking around. Cut a piece of hardwood to match the diameter of the shell. I am guessing that is a 14 inch snare...cut the wood to match the outside diameter of the shell...then remove all of the hardware on that side of the shell. rest the shell against the piece of hardwood and tap lightly with a ball peen hammer...that should remove the dent and return the shell to its original shape. good luck!

[Cheez_Whiz]

I'd be curious to hear how this works out. I have a copper snare (Pearl sig "Smitty") that has a small indentation beneath one of the lugs. Apparently the previous owner was not aware of how soft these drums are and just cranked away on the rods; causing the indentation behind the lug. Drum is still very playable, but the dent annoys me.

Rather than pounding away on it, I was thinking of cutting a piece of metal pipe to the internal depth of the shell and working it back and forth to try and pop out the dent. Or, even trying something like a billiard ball or a light weight "shotput" and rolling it along the interior. But I've been way too busy doing nothing to get around to that. My biggest concern is forcing the shell out of round to the point that it essentially becomes scrap metal.

[Drakken]

I'd be curious to hear how this works out. I have a copper snare (Pearl sig "Smitty") that has a small indentation beneath one of the lugs. Apparently the previous owner was not aware of how soft these drums are and just cranked away on the rods; causing the indentation behind the lug. Drum is still very playable, but the dent annoys me.

Rather than pounding away on it, I was thinking of cutting a piece of metal pipe to the internal depth of the shell and working it back and forth to try and pop out the dent. Or, even trying something like a billiard ball or a light weight "shotput" and rolling it along the interior. But I've been way too busy doing nothing to get around to that. My biggest concern is forcing the shell out of round to the point that it essentially becomes scrap metal.

That sucks about that Smitty Sig., but at least it's behind a lug.
Not a bad idea using a piece of pipe or ball. I would try and make sure the shell is warm; leaving it in the Summer Sun or use a heat gun, so the metal is more malleable. And I'd make sure you do it on a semisoft surface, so you don't cause unintentional damage to the shell. I'm going to use an old Inner tube as a base to work on.

[Drakken]

So, I took an old drumstick and cut it so I will have some tools to try and knock that dent out with. Will post progress pics when I get around to working on it.

[Cheez_Whiz]

Just a quick update...

Finally decided to try to tackle the dent in this copper snare. What I settled on was a hockey puck. Pics don't really do it justice, as the lighting was poor and I was pressed for time, but overall, it worked well. I won't say that it is completely gone, but it is much softer now.

Essentially, removed the top hoop and head, removed the lug over the dent, set the drum on a blanket (folded over several times), stood hockey puck on end, tapped lightly/moderately with a hammer. It looks so much better now. Trying to deal with the Acrolite shell and the bead may be a bit more difficult, but if you happen to have a hockey puck and a hammer lurking in your domicile, it might be worth attempting.

Good Luck!

[Drakken]

Just a quick update...

Finally decided to try to tackle the dent in this copper snare. What I settled on was a hockey puck. Pics don't really do it justice, as the lighting was poor and I was pressed for time, but overall, it worked well. I won't say that it is completely gone, but it is much softer now.
......
Good Luck!

Nice Job! Looks great. To be honest, the dent didn't look all that bad to me.
As soon as my girlfriend can lend me a hand, I'm going to try and work on that Acro.

[Drakken]

Well, I finally got around to knocking out those dents. I tried using my little wooden tools and they just really were not cutting it. I ended up using a heat gun and a regular metal hammer. I tapped from the rim inward, towards the center of the dent; I heard this is how those dent removal places get those large dents out without stretching the metal.


I put it between a sawhorse and a work bench; so as to not mess up the bead. I then laid down a cutup inner tube and covered that with a thin cloth; to cut down on the chance for scratches. The scratches that were left behind I think were from the lugs and the only remaining dents are from the washers. I'm quite pleased except for the fact that the P-83 strainer now didn't want to align with the holes in the shell. I tried to bend them and it broke!!! I could have kicked myself in the teeth.


I believe it can be tig welded together. I know this isn't typically done for welding two pieces of magnesium together, but it's worth a shot. If not, I may take it to a local college that teaches Machinery and see if they can't manufacture one for me. I will have to take off those E style retaining rings somehow so they can take measurements. I know it will no longer be Original, but at this point, I would rather have it working than spend $90 on a vintage strainer just for that one piece. Let me know if you guys have any ideas, or a F'd up strainer with that piece still in good condition that you would be willing to sell.

[Drakken]

Oh Hazzah!! I was able to get my strainer fixed. I called Ludwig yesterday and asked about the material that this would have been made of; at one time they used magnesium for things like jugs. The guy I spoke with told me all the information he could reference said that it would be steel. I cut a block of wood to fasten it to so I could align the holes in the shell to where the pieces needed to be. I still don't think it's where it needs to be but at this point, I will be happy if it's back together in one piece.
I took it to a local welding shop and they put a magnet to it and said it was in fact steel. The guy used a grinder to rough it up so the weld would take and went to it. He then used the grinder to knock down the left over bead. All I have to do now is polish it back up to a shine and mount it to the drum. I will be so happy when I get this back together and can use it. It only cost me a couple of bucks for his work.

I will post pictures of it all polished up. So in the future, don't forget to think of your local machine shops and such for when you need some broken parts fixed.

[Drakken]

So, here it is after I used ascending grades of sand paper and then a polishing wheel with hard material cleaning compound.

You can still see a bit of discoloration from the heat created by the weld. I don't believe there is anything I can do with that, but it's hidden behind the front plate of the strainer anyway. I didn't even have to polish this, but I wanted to clean it up for my own sake.