I custom built a snare drum and veneered it with birdseye maple
I was shown a technique where regular wood glue was used to adhere wood veneer. This technique was unusual to me because the glue needed to be dry before adhering. This is where the hot iron comes into play. The hot iron is used to melt the two sides of the dried glue together. This produces a superbly even and strong bond. I tried this technique on a test piece and the adhesion was so strong I couldn't remove the veneer without destroying it, I had to use a sharp chisel to cut away at the veneer the bond was so strong. This technique was used on this snare drum in the video and I couldn't be happier with the result! The birdseye maple is something I've always been drawn to, so having the opportunity to make a custom snare drum using the birdseye maple veneer technique facilitated my dream snare drum. The clear coat applied is automotive grade catalyzed poly urethane, which I think is far better than lacquer in terms of shine and durability. Snare drum is an 8 ply maple shell with one finish ply of birdseye maple, 30 degree bearing edges top and bottom, shell size is 5.5" x 14". I used gretsch double ended lugs, Dunnett R4 throw off and butt plate and 10 lug die cast hoops top and bottom. I was looking at the custom snare offerings from Pearl, Tama, Gretsch, yamaha and Ludwig however I chose to build it myself. Much more fun and rewarding!
I was shown a technique where regular wood glue was used to adhere wood veneer. This technique was unusual to me because the glue needed to be dry before adhering. This is where the hot iron comes into play. The hot iron is used to melt the two sides of the dried glue together. This produces a superbly even and strong bond. I tried this technique on a test piece and the adhesion was so strong I couldn't remove the veneer without destroying it, I had to use a sharp chisel to cut away at the veneer the bond was so strong. This technique was used on this snare drum in the video and I couldn't be happier with the result! The birdseye maple is something I've always been drawn to, so having the opportunity to make a custom snare drum using the birdseye maple veneer technique facilitated my dream snare drum. The clear coat applied is automotive grade catalyzed poly urethane, which I think is far better than lacquer in terms of shine and durability. Snare drum is an 8 ply maple shell with one finish ply of birdseye maple, 30 degree bearing edges top and bottom, shell size is 5.5" x 14". I used gretsch double ended lugs, Dunnett R4 throw off and butt plate and 10 lug die cast hoops top and bottom. I was looking at the custom snare offerings from Pearl, Tama, Gretsch, yamaha and Ludwig however I chose to build it myself. Much more fun and rewarding!