Homemade DIY Drum Rack?

Lukeykookey · #1 (**permalink**) 02-03-2009, 06:52 AM

Hi all,

Before I start let me say I am on a tight budget!

I really like the idea of a drum rack and have decided I was going to get one.
So off I go in search of one and was blown away by the cost of purchasing one. Talk about an inflated price (in the UK anyway). Even second hand racks go for a small fortune.

Looking at them I could not see what could possibly justify all the money that is being asked.

So I set upon the idea of making my own one out of tubing, should be a relatively simple job.

Metal is cheap over here at the moment and I estimate I could make the same rack for £30 that is being sold for £150+
People will moan that it will never be as good etc..I cant see it. As long as the clamps are steady (will probably buy the clamps) metal tubing is metal tubing at the end of the day.

There are loads of people who have done it for 'e-drums', but I have some questions if anyone can help:

1) I know that some are round section and some are square section tubes. I will be making a round section rack I think...are all the drum racks the same size (ie 1 1/2 inch?) If anyone has a rack could they be so kind as to measure the size for me? If I ever buy mounts (if I can't make them lol) then I would want them to fit securely.

2) What do you all think, do the fittings need to be metal connectors or clamps, or would I get away with plastic ones? I am thinking not so much of the weight of a set of drums upon the rack but more of the continual vibration. I dont want it to fall apart...

3) Are basic racks all the same size, in relation to the kind of footprint they would need? If so does anyone have any tips for this? Obviously they can be expanded, but are the basic units a regular size?

Any help is more than welcome, and any opinions, positive or negative. Apart from 'just buy one you ceapskate! - as stated above as much as I would love to, this is not an option for me due to cost

I will update this page with my progress (it may take a while

)

marko46 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-03-2009, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lukeykookey

There are loads of people who have done it for 'e-drums', but I have some questions if anyone can help:

1) I know that some are round section and some are square section tubes. I will be making a round section rack I think...are all the drum racks the same size (ie 1 1/2 inch?) If anyone has a rack could they be so kind as to measure the size for me? If I ever buy mounts (if I can't make them lol) then I would want them to fit securely.

2) What do you all think, do the fittings need to be metal connectors or clamps, or would I get away with plastic ones? I am thinking not so much of the weight of a set of drums upon the rack but more of the continual vibration. I dont want it to fall apart...

3) Are basic racks all the same size, in relation to the kind of footprint they would need? If so does anyone have any tips for this? Obviously they can be expanded, but are the basic units a regular size?

Any help is more than welcome, and any opinions, positive or negative. Apart from 'just buy one you ceapskate! - as stated above as much as I would love to, this is not an option for me due to cost

I will update this page with my progress (it may take a while

)

1- I do believe mine is 1 1/2 " tubing. It's Gibralter. Here's a tutorial link:
Gibraltar Racks

2- I would say that the fittings do need to be metal. Plastic will not hold up, especially if you gig- no way. I've broken a metal conector bracket by tightening it too much, but then, I'm Gorilla

3- That link I gave you above should give you all of the tube sizing they offer. I have a couple 24", 4 or 5 36", and 2 or 3 42". Plus the legs. I can do a single or double bass set-up. Look on Ebay also for used. I bought my rack from a guy on another forum for $200.00. I've added about $80.00 worth of legs and extra tubes to it.

Keep in mind that round will slip. If I had the cash, I'd buy the new Pearl Hex Rack system, or at least their standard square tube reack. A buddy of mine has one of those, but he's a little limited on his postioning of his rack toms, where I'm not with the round. But his doesn't slip either. It's not terrible, but it can and does happen.
Good luck. Keep us posted.
Marko

**skinslapper** · #3 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 04:10 AM

I used to own a gibralter rack and the constant slipping of the clamps and joints was a nightmare, not to mention the setup and tear down time.

Do yourself a favour and look into the pearl dr-80. Square tubing so everything stays where you put it, icon clamps including the omni-directional fit on it, and the whole thing folds up when you're done, no taking it apart. And it's the cheapest rack on the market. I've been using it now for two years and no probs yet. I've met others who've been using the same one for a lot longer than that.

marko46 · #4 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skinslapper

I used to own a gibralter rack and the constant slipping of the clamps and joints was a nightmare, not to mention the setup and tear down time.

Do yourself a favour and look into the pearl dr-80. Square tubing so everything stays where you put it, icon clamps including the omni-directional fit on it, and the whole thing folds up when you're done, no taking it apart. And it's the cheapest rack on the market. I've been using it now for two years and no probs yet. I've met others who've been using the same one for a lot longer than that.

What I've done for now is I've "locked" everything and just loosen the two corner connectors and fold it up with the cymbal and tom mounts in place, load and unload at the gigs. I've got my set up time down to about 30 minutes, excluding mic's.
I will get a new rack one of these days if I ever stop buying more snares and cymbals and mic's and..................!

I have a severe case of GAS (Gear Aquisition Syndrome)
It's very serious disorder that highly disturbs my wife on a regular basis.

Lukeykookey · #5 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 01:07 PM

The Pearl DR80 is the kind of thing I want to build...I could still make exactly the same kit for about half the price though.

I think I will be making it out of the box section metal tubing then..bearing in mind clamp slips etc.

What is the width of the metal tube sections skinslapper? Would the clamps only fit on this size or is there quite a bit of room for adjustment?

When I mean a tight budget I eman a tight budget!

**skinslapper** · #6 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lukeykookey

The Pearl DR80 is the kind of thing I want to build...I could still make exactly the same kit for about half the price though.

I think I will be making it out of the box section metal tubing then..bearing in mind clamp slips etc.

What is the width of the metal tube sections skinslapper? Would the clamps only fit on this size or is there quite a bit of room for adjustment?

When I mean a tight budget I eman a tight budget!

The tubes are 1 1/2 inches square and the clamps have no room for adjustment, they will only fit this size.

In my opinion thsi would be the way to go for a homemade job. The hinges on this rack are just metal plates fixed to the top and bottom of the tube with enough width to clear the clamps when folded, very simple.

The only hard part is getting a screw right through the top and bottom of the hinge then into a leg.

I hope you know how to weld aluminium.

Lukeykookey · #7 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 06:47 PM

Thank you for the info so far!

Im going to be doing it out of steel or aluminium...I do like those hinges, but I wouldn't be tearing it down to go gigging all over the place so I dont NEED one that folds...might just get one that unbolts at the hinge points..maybe quick release bolts.

My concern with aluminium is that it could bend under stress with weight, whereas steel will be much stronger?

I was thinking - if I had roundbar, with rubber fixed in the clamps and they were tightly held, surely it wont slip?

I have seen a lot of clamps for drum racks that are made of a metal and sturdy plastic, like these
Metal http://www.doughty-engineering.co.uk/shop/13/ Absolutely looooads of types of connectors, take your pick.
Can get all variants in stainless etc as well if I decide to go stainless or chrome..
Plastic http://i8.ebayimg.com/02/i/001/21/64/9b19_1.JPG

I cant find box section connectors...

I think I may have to concede to roundbar lol

Round bar is considerably cheaper than the box section bar...

Lukeykookey · #8 (**permalink**) 02-04-2009, 07:39 PM

I was thinking more about this slippage - you could always get a lynch pin like this one, with a strong spring so as not to vibrate
http://images.orgill.com/200x200/6593503.jpg

And throw a pilot hole through the clamp and bar? Maybe a hole every inch of the bar. The hole and pin would only have to be tiny as they are only stopping the kit spinning round the bar...

DrMapex · #9 (**permalink**) 02-19-2009, 10:12 PM

I just want to take a second to defend Gibraltar. I have a 7-peice with 4 rack-mounted toms, the rack was bought second hand for about £120 -thank you ebay- about 2 years ago and I've had no problems with it at all, with slip or otherwise.
The joints and clamps are all sturdy, and since you really do tend to get what you pay for with percussive equipment, I would suggest that you splash out on Gibraltar if it's at all within your power to do so. Otherwise, all the best building your own rack, let us know how that works out, and try Lukeykookey's suggestion too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lukeykookey

And throw a pilot hole through the clamp and bar? Maybe a hole every inch of the bar. The hole and pin would only have to be tiny as they are only stopping the kit spinning round the bar...

Aleks · #10 (**permalink**) 02-20-2009, 01:39 AM

Agreed, my Gibraltar hasn't slipped yet, and I bang on the set for hours on end with gigs and practice....Tighten your **** properly and it won't happen