what apply to bearing edge?

P.ferguson · 02-08-2010, 07:38 PM

Some parts for the rest of my drum set just came in the mail today (still waiting on the lugs). I was wondering what (if anything) I should apply to the bearing edges of the tom shells for smooth tuning. I've read about Vaseline, but I wanna know what you guys like to use, besides vaseline.

Thanks,
p

**hankdriver** · 02-08-2010, 08:27 PM

Sex Wax

**RichardJ** · 02-08-2010, 08:28 PM

Paraffin or candle wax (unscented).

P.ferguson · 02-08-2010, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hankdriver

Sex Wax

like surf wax? ive got some of that at home. But it's scented and RichardJ suggested unscented....candle wax

**jrfrond** · 02-08-2010, 09:00 PM

There's another school of thought here: bearing edges not only do NOT require glass-like finishing, but overly-slick edges, while they may facilitate actually tuning a bit, also contribute to less stable tuning. A bearing edge needs a palpable texture to increase intimate head-to-shell contact and grip the head at the collar a bit to help hold tuning.

I was actually turned onto this concept years ago by Joe Montineri, and boy, was he ever right!

Personally, I sand my edges down to 400 grit, and then seal them with a wipe-coat of shellac. The result is an edge that is smooth but has a definite texture to it. So far, no complaints.

P.ferguson · 02-08-2010, 10:38 PM

would 600 grit be fine, because that's what ive got...

by the way, sanding the edge sounds scary....

**johnisonfire** · 02-09-2010, 01:00 AM

hand sanding the edge sounds scary but as long as you're not applying too much pressure you're going to be just fine. Having an un-flat sanding table or router table does way more damage to an edge than lightly hand sanding it smooth.

jrfrond is right as well, I used to sand to 1000 and then apply tung oil and paste wax but I've found it easier to tune (and keep in tune) by sanding to just 600 and applying only paste wax.

**Kevin_S** · 02-09-2010, 08:07 AM

Light sanding and paste wax (Minwax or Briwax).

**McKenzieDrums** · 02-09-2010, 08:13 AM

Peanut butter or in a pinch some Nutella

**jrfrond** · 02-09-2010, 08:54 AM

Vaseline, as we have said here before concerning interior finishes, is a bad bet.

02-08-2010, 07:38 PM	#1
P.ferguson Solid Contributor Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 219 Thanks: 125 Thanked 52 Times in 27 Posts Rep Power: 7	what apply to bearing edge? Some parts for the rest of my drum set just came in the mail today (still waiting on the lugs). I was wondering what (if anything) I should apply to the bearing edges of the tom shells for smooth tuning. I've read about Vaseline, but I wanna know what you guys like to use, besides vaseline. Thanks, p

02-08-2010, 08:28 PM	#3
RichardJ Drum Labs Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Bridgeport, Connecticut. USA Posts: 6,327 Thanks: 1,975 Thanked 1,362 Times in 951 Posts Rep Power: 149	Paraffin or candle wax (unscented). __________________ I suppose you expect ME to clean that up?

02-08-2010, 09:00 PM	#5
jrfrond Drum Labs Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oceanside, NY Posts: 854 Thanks: 79 Thanked 383 Times in 188 Posts Rep Power: 46	There's another school of thought here: bearing edges not only do NOT require glass-like finishing, but overly-slick edges, while they may facilitate actually tuning a bit, also contribute to less stable tuning. A bearing edge needs a palpable texture to increase intimate head-to-shell contact and grip the head at the collar a bit to help hold tuning. I was actually turned onto this concept years ago by Joe Montineri, and boy, was he ever right! Personally, I sand my edges down to 400 grit, and then seal them with a wipe-coat of shellac. The result is an edge that is smooth but has a definite texture to it. So far, no complaints. __________________ - J.R. Frondelli - "All Drums, All The Time" To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

02-08-2010, 10:38 PM	#6
P.ferguson Solid Contributor Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 219 Thanks: 125 Thanked 52 Times in 27 Posts Rep Power: 7	would 600 grit be fine, because that's what ive got... by the way, sanding the edge sounds scary.... Last edited by P.ferguson; 02-08-2010 at 10:53 PM..

02-09-2010, 08:07 AM	#8
Kevin_S Drum Labs Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bowie, MD Posts: 2,300 Thanks: 627 Thanked 731 Times in 400 Posts Rep Power: 78	Light sanding and paste wax (Minwax or Briwax). __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

02-08-2010, 08:27 PM	#2
hankdriver Drum Labs Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Neburu Posts: 775 Thanks: 193 Thanked 92 Times in 86 Posts Rep Power: 12	Sex Wax

02-09-2010, 01:00 AM	#7
johnisonfire Drum Labs Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 507 Thanks: 663 Thanked 113 Times in 92 Posts Rep Power: 14	hand sanding the edge sounds scary but as long as you're not applying too much pressure you're going to be just fine. Having an un-flat sanding table or router table does way more damage to an edge than lightly hand sanding it smooth. jrfrond is right as well, I used to sand to 1000 and then apply tung oil and paste wax but I've found it easier to tune (and keep in tune) by sanding to just 600 and applying only paste wax.

02-09-2010, 08:13 AM	#9
McKenzieDrums Drum Labs Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 5,035 Thanks: 202 Thanked 1,112 Times in 645 Posts Rep Power: 124	Peanut butter or in a pinch some Nutella

02-09-2010, 08:54 AM	#10
jrfrond Drum Labs Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Oceanside, NY Posts: 854 Thanks: 79 Thanked 383 Times in 188 Posts Rep Power: 46	Vaseline, as we have said here before concerning interior finishes, is a bad bet. __________________ - J.R. Frondelli - "All Drums, All The Time" To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

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