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Drum Building Tutorial - Using the DF Snare Drum T-Jig
Setting up drum shell holes using the Snare Drum T-Jig and the Layout Mat
AKA the easy cheesy sure fire snare drum setup method
The DF Layout Mat has concentric circles from 4 inches in diameter to 24 inches in diameter. The circles are sized specifically for Keller shells, or other shells with an outside diameter of 1/8 inch undersize. Normally you would mark your lug, strainer, butt, grommet, and badge holes AFTER the shell is finished. We are using an unfinished shell for clarity.
We suggest that you place the outer veneer seam where it will be least likely seen. We suggest near the butt plate directly underneath a lug.
To mark the shell, use a fine point sharpie marker. You won't have to use any pressure to get a clean, crisp mark. This is especially important when you are marking over finishes.
It is very important to use a tape that will not leave any residue and will be very easy to remove without damaging the finish. "Painter's blue" tape works very well and is available everywhere paint is sold. We prefer 3M brand. Don't ruin your drum to save $1!
Place a strip of tape around the perimeter of the shell. Using the T-Jig, mark the lug spacing at the color coded line. In this case we are marking holes for an 8 lug drum.
Ooooh, crisp and clean...
Place a strip of tape at each lug spacing mark.
Mark a perpendicular line down the shell.
Here is the lug we will use. It has a 2 inch mounting hole spacing.
Measure the depth of your shell. This one is 5 1/8" because we haven't cut the bearing edges yet. This is because we will index the snare bed off the lug spacing.
Adjust the T-Jig to 1/2 of the shell depth.
The zero mark is the center of the shell. Mark 1/2 the lug mounting hole spacing to either side of the zero mark. 2 inches divided by 2 equals 1.
Place your shell again on the Layout Mat so the lug spacing lines are again on the red marks (8 lug drum). Mark the center between the two lugs.
Set the edge of the T-Jig to zero, then mark your bottom strainer hole. The strainer we want to use has a 1 inch mounting hole spacing, so we mark the second hole at 3.
The butt plate we are using has a 1 3/4" mounting hole spacing. Divide that number by 2 (1 3/4" divided by 2 = 7/8") and mark on either side of the zero. The parallel lines on the Layout Mat are spaced every 1/8" inch.
Transfer your perpendicular lines down the shell, and mark the butt mounting holes. In this case we are mounting it 2 inches from the bottom bearing edge.
Use the same methods described above to mark your air grommets and badge holes.
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