Anybody experience with drilling out cracks in cymbals?

cottonmouth · Post by **cottonmouth** » Sat May 16, 2009 6:11 am

I found a crack in my hi-hat, I really really hate it when that happens. Anyway, I'm probably gonna let it be and hope for the best, but in the back of my head I'm considering drilling it out.

Has anybody ever done this? How great is the risk the drilling will only cause more cracks? Does it influence the sound much? (im expecting that if its done well the sound doesnt change at all). Did you use a 'normal' drill or do I need something with extra power?

If the crack is so deep you can't drill it out in one go, what do you do? Do you do a lot of drills next to each other (leaving edges of course, what do you with them, flatting it out with some other tool?)

Like I said, I'll probably just let it be and hope for the best, but if I see the thing is getting bigger I might just try it.

Sky Black · Post by **Sky Black** » Sat May 16, 2009 11:54 am

Where is the crack? If it's on the edge drilling won't help. Only thing you can do is reset your clutch so that edge faces away.

If it's in the surface area, drill a small hole (use a bit about the size of a matchstick) about 1/8" from either end of the crack. A regular drill will work fine. Drilling won't affect the sound any more than the crack does. If you let it go it will most likely get worse, and because you hit the hats a lot more than other cymbals it'll probably happen pretty fast.

cottonmouth · Post by **cottonmouth** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:02 pm

Cool, thanks. It is on the edge though

I already made it face away, hoping it won't get totally fucked.

Sky Black · Post by **Sky Black** » Sat May 16, 2009 1:23 pm

Well that's not so bad, the circular type are a lot worse. It'll be a long time before you'll need a new one as long as you don't hit that part. I've heard of someone who cut out a broken edge with metal shears but I wouldn't want to try that myself.

long4theblur · Post by **long4theblur** » Sat May 16, 2009 5:19 pm

Oh I'm experienced in drilling cracks all right

Cheyenne fucking Buffet · Sun May 17, 2009 5:01 am

There's no reason hi-hat cymbals should ever crack unless A.) you're using them incorrectly or B.) they're entry-level no-name brand. Never even heard of this, actually. Do you use the pedal in your playing? How hard do you hit? If it's a recurring problem, experiment with different heights and angles. Thick crashes and splash cymbals have always been the only culprits in my experience. But then I turn around and use them as bullshit chinas anyway, so they still have a use.

Cheyenne fucking Buffet · Sun May 17, 2009 5:04 am

By the way, have no fear when drilling or cutting pieces from cymbals, just remember that you'll create a sound from that piece that no one else can duplicate. Fuck keeping cymbals in pristine condition.

AoD · Post by **AoD** » Mon May 18, 2009 2:49 am

cymbals are worth more melted down and raw

DBS · Post by **DBS** » Thu May 21, 2009 4:17 pm

long4theblur wrote:Oh I'm experienced in drilling cracks all right

texasborn · Post by **texasborn** » Fri May 22, 2009 2:48 pm

drummer_goat · Post by **drummer_goat** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 1:55 am

Cheyenne fucking Buffet wrote:There's no reason hi-hat cymbals should ever crack unless A.) you're using them incorrectly or B.) they're entry-level no-name brand. Never even heard of this, actually. Do you use the pedal in your playing? How hard do you hit? If it's a recurring problem, experiment with different heights and angles. Thick crashes and splash cymbals have always been the only culprits in my experience. But then I turn around and use them as bullshit chinas anyway, so they still have a use.

I cracked a top Paiste sound edge Rude series hi-hat cymbal. Shit happens. I must have been playing it incorrectly though(whatever that means.) Because your obviously some drum guro, and thats what your informative post says the problem must be.

Carry on

cottonmouth · Post by **cottonmouth** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 3:17 am

I don't think my playing style is that wrong, this is the first time I've had a cracked cymbal in about 6 years I think.

The fucked thing is that my top hi-hat keeps spinning around, so making it face away only works to an extent. I'll don't think I can escape replacing it.
Once I'll do that I'll probably drill out the edge crack anyway just to see what happens, see with my own eyes that it has no use as I keep hearing.

AoD · Post by **AoD** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 3:39 am

you should be using one of these

duh

Cheyenne fucking Buffet · Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:05 am

drummer_goat wrote:Because your obviously some drum guro

Goro*

Bert · Post by **Bert** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 7:14 am

cottonmouth wrote:I don't think my playing style is that wrong, this is the first time I've had a cracked cymbal in about 6 years I think.

The fucked thing is that my top hi-hat keeps spinning around, so making it face away only works to an extent. I'll don't think I can escape replacing it.
Once I'll do that I'll probably drill out the edge crack anyway just to see what happens, see with my own eyes that it has no use as I keep hearing.

Stop being a

and spend some money.

Pfl?yd · Post by **Pfl?yd** » Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:07 am

I've never cracked a cymbal myself but can see from how some people set up their cymbals how it could happen, like setting them up so the stick hits them from a directly perpendicular angle. I bet if some of these guys used slow-motion video of what the cymbal looked like as it was struck, they'd change some things.

I can't imagine cracking a hi-hat, though. You must really be wailing on the thing.

drummer_goat · Post by **drummer_goat** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:27 pm

cottonmouth wrote:I don't think my playing style is that wrong, this is the first time I've had a cracked cymbal in about 6 years I think.

The fucked thing is that my top hi-hat keeps spinning around, so making it face away only works to an extent. I'll don't think I can escape replacing it.
Once I'll do that I'll probably drill out the edge crack anyway just to see what happens, see with my own eyes that it has no use as I keep hearing.

Thats what happens when theres a crack in a cymbal for some strange reason of physics the crack always seems to come back the the place of impact. Drilling a hole will prolong the life but when the crack spreads it will often change direction or have a splintering effect when it returns. It is better than nothing but you will have to replace the cymbal at some later time. If you do care more for the cymbal than the sound, theres always duct tape.

drummer_goat · Post by **drummer_goat** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:32 pm

Cheyenne fucking Buffet wrote:
drummer_goat wrote:Because your obviously some drum guro
Goro*

or maybe it guru. Still wondering how you play a hi-hat wrong. You can get back to me later though.

Cynosure · Post by **Cynosure** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:41 pm

Cheyenne fucking Buffet wrote:
drummer_goat wrote:Because your obviously some drum guro
Goro*

That would rule!

drummer_goat · Post by **drummer_goat** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:48 pm

Pfl?yd wrote:I've never cracked a cymbal myself but can see from how some people set up their cymbals how it could happen, like setting them up so the stick hits them from a directly perpendicular angle. I bet if some of these guys used slow-motion video of what the cymbal looked like as it was struck, they'd change some things.

I can't imagine cracking a hi-hat, though. You must really be wailing on the thing.

a musician should never put durablity>sound in my opinion. I used to try to get the most durable heads and tune them to last and set my crash cymbals so I would never hit the edge with the shoulder of the stick. But reality struck and it just didn't make any sense to keep playing with that attitude. I also switched from zildjian to Paiste. Fuck zildjan they aren't hand hammered, they crack easily, and they sound like poop.

Cheyenne fucking Buffet · Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:09 pm

drummer_goat wrote:a musician should never put durablity>sound in my opinion.

What do you play, 80s arena rock? You don't need to make a choice between the two if you play with any semblance of dynamics.

Pfl?yd · Post by **Pfl?yd** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 9:12 pm

drummer_goat wrote:
Pfl?yd wrote:I've never cracked a cymbal myself but can see from how some people set up their cymbals how it could happen, like setting them up so the stick hits them from a directly perpendicular angle. I bet if some of these guys used slow-motion video of what the cymbal looked like as it was struck, they'd change some things.

I can't imagine cracking a hi-hat, though. You must really be wailing on the thing.
a musician should never put durablity>sound in my opinion. I used to try to get the most durable heads and tune them to last and set my crash cymbals so I would never hit the edge with the shoulder of the stick. But reality struck and it just didn't make any sense to keep playing with that attitude. I also switched from zildjian to Paiste. Fuck zildjan they aren't hand hammered, they crack easily, and they sound like poop.

Personally, I've given up on acoustic drums altogether. With compression values the way they are on recordings nowadays, my electronic kit passes unnoticed as such on recordings and I have way more sounds (and a lot less issues) overall anyway.

Hooray for technology.

JesseJames · Post by **JesseJames** » Sat Jun 13, 2009 11:17 pm

If you had a cutting torch with a welding tip or access to one you could braze the crack and not have to worry about it anymore.

drummer_goat · Post by **drummer_goat** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 3:37 am

Cheyenne fucking Buffet wrote:
drummer_goat wrote:a musician should never put durablity>sound in my opinion.
What do you play, 80s arena rock? You don't need to make a choice between the two if you play with any semblance of dynamics.

Hit a nerve did I? The concept of tone being more important than durability has nothing to do with dynamics. Furthermore dynamics can be portrayed in different ways than just volume. Texture(the thickening and thinning) and feel also can be classified as dynamics in music. Dynamics in playing as you use the term depend on the style of music being played. A good drummer will focus on playing at a consistent volume when playing a style of music that is supposed to be "in your face" like rock, or metal, but the same drummer playing latin, jazz and some funk would use more "dynamic" range because the style of music calls for it. Regardless of use of dynamics, it is still my opinion that tone of a drum/cymbal is more important than the durability. Now why don't you go back to your proper hi-hat playing like a good kid.

drummer_goat · Post by **drummer_goat** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 3:39 am

Pfl?yd wrote:
drummer_goat wrote:
Pfl?yd wrote:I've never cracked a cymbal myself but can see from how some people set up their cymbals how it could happen, like setting them up so the stick hits them from a directly perpendicular angle. I bet if some of these guys used slow-motion video of what the cymbal looked like as it was struck, they'd change some things.

I can't imagine cracking a hi-hat, though. You must really be wailing on the thing.
a musician should never put durablity>sound in my opinion. I used to try to get the most durable heads and tune them to last and set my crash cymbals so I would never hit the edge with the shoulder of the stick. But reality struck and it just didn't make any sense to keep playing with that attitude. I also switched from zildjian to Paiste. Fuck zildjan they aren't hand hammered, they crack easily, and they sound like poop.
Personally, I've given up on acoustic drums altogether. With compression values the way they are on recordings nowadays, my electronic kit passes unnoticed as such on recordings and I have way more sounds (and a lot less issues) overall anyway.

Hooray for technology.

High end electronic kits are quite nice sounding. They just don't feel the same.

Cheyenne fucking Buffet · Sun Jun 14, 2009 4:53 am

drummer_goat wrote:The concept of tone being more important than durability has nothing to do with dynamics.

It does when you crack hi-hats... especially those in a line renowned for their fucking durability, guy. Now I know it's difficult for you to surrender the last word when you've carved yourself a niche by way of username, but just try.

Cheyenne fucking Buffet · Sun Jun 14, 2009 4:53 am

Now why don't you go back to your proper hi-hat playing like a good kid.

My hi-hat technique's pretty good. How's yours?

Pfl?yd · Post by **Pfl?yd** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 8:50 am

drummer_goat wrote:
Pfl?yd wrote:
drummer_goat wrote:
Pfl?yd wrote:I've never cracked a cymbal myself but can see from how some people set up their cymbals how it could happen, like setting them up so the stick hits them from a directly perpendicular angle. I bet if some of these guys used slow-motion video of what the cymbal looked like as it was struck, they'd change some things.

I can't imagine cracking a hi-hat, though. You must really be wailing on the thing.
a musician should never put durablity>sound in my opinion. I used to try to get the most durable heads and tune them to last and set my crash cymbals so I would never hit the edge with the shoulder of the stick. But reality struck and it just didn't make any sense to keep playing with that attitude. I also switched from zildjian to Paiste. Fuck zildjan they aren't hand hammered, they crack easily, and they sound like poop.
Personally, I've given up on acoustic drums altogether. With compression values the way they are on recordings nowadays, my electronic kit passes unnoticed as such on recordings and I have way more sounds (and a lot less issues) overall anyway.

Hooray for technology.
High end electronic kits are quite nice sounding. They just don't feel the same.

I have an advantage because not being a drummer primarily I'm less concerned with "feel" as I am "function". When a drummer who has been playing drums non-stop for years sits down at my kit, he fucking hates it--especially the hard-hitter guys. For me, though, I've played electronic kits longer than acoustic ones and when I sit down at someone else's acoustic kit I feel the same way they do on mine. Everything bounces less and I have to lay into stuff to get sound out of it.

I liken it to the difference between someone who learned to play guitar on an electric as opposed to an acoustic.

BassPhemy · Post by **BassPhemy** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 2:13 pm

I've had the same set of strings on my bass for the past 8 years because I have proper string technique.

Pfl?yd · Post by **Pfl?yd** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 2:50 pm

BassPhemy wrote:I've had the same set of strings on my bass for the past 8 years because I have proper string technique.

You haven't owned that bass for eight years!

BassPhemy · Post by **BassPhemy** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 4:05 pm

Dog years.

Hailblaze · Post by **Hailblaze** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 4:07 pm

Skyblack seems to know a lot about instruments and maintenance... Very helpful. Me personally id just play it till it broke and then buy another one. 6 years is a long time for such a minor replacement.

drummer_goat · Post by **drummer_goat** » Sun Jun 14, 2009 9:35 pm

Cheyenne fucking Buffet wrote:
Now why don't you go back to your proper hi-hat playing like a good kid.
My hi-hat technique's pretty good. How's yours?

Is this some dirty trick to make me look like one of those people who need to get the last word in?

Sky Black · Post by **Sky Black** » Mon Jun 15, 2009 7:09 pm

AoD wrote:you should be using one of these

duh

Drop-locks suck. And that clutch won't stop the hats from spinning. This will though

AoD · Post by **AoD** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 1:49 am

yeah one of those things, guh!

Sky Black · Post by **Sky Black** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 1:26 pm

That was very clever, but just in case he thought you were actually trying to be helpful by recommending a clutch that would keep the hats from spinning...

AoD · Post by **AoD** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 6:06 pm

yeah i dont know anything about drums, or brands or anything. those things seem usefull though

Sky Black · Post by **Sky Black** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 6:35 pm

Oh ok. Yeah, clutches are useful for a hi-hat. Thanks bro.

JesseJames · Post by **JesseJames** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 6:44 pm

Sky Black wrote:Oh ok. Yeah, clutches are useful for a hi-hat. Thanks bro.

Condoms are useful for your whore-hat.

Sky Black · Post by **Sky Black** » Tue Jun 16, 2009 6:52 pm

Lipitor is useful to your wife's ability to remain alive.