drum cymbals

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I recently recieved a drum set as a birthday gift. I'm learning. My question involves the cymbals. They are tearing. Can I weld them? I am a welding student seeking a degree, but there is no welding class durring summer quarter. I have not tried brass. I can O.A.C./O.A.W., Mig., Tig.(steel and aluminum), S.M.A.W., and F.C.A.W. I am eager to know how I might fix these cymbals.( I'm too poor to simply buy new cymbals)
Reply:You will want to check the mfg for metal composition - many are made from a more complex alloy.If you are anywhere near as sensitive to their sound as my wife (a jazz drummer) is then you will not be happy with the results of the weld repair (or even a brazing repair).  It WILL change the character of the cymbal and WILL change the sound.As much as it hurts, if she damages one of her cymbals we end up dropping another pile of cash on a new disc.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:Thanks for the info. I suspected the sound would be changed for the worse. I did not consider the composition of the base metal.
Reply:Good cymbals are made of 'hardened' braze.  They are tough.  I tried to drill a hole through one once - no go.  I suspect that any heating - like brazing, would cause the cymbal to lose its temper  - not not angry, more of a stress relief As has been mentioned, that will alter the sound considerably.Rick V 1 Airco Heliwelder 3A/DDR3 CTC 70/90 amp Stick/Tig Inverters in Parallel1 Lincoln MIG PAK 151 Oxy-Acet
Reply:This thread is interesting since I've had 2 large cymbals laying around in the shop for years. I never gave them much thought other than playing with them from time to time because I've never played drums and don't even remember where they originally came from.I'm getting the impression they are expensive enough I ought to drag them out and examine them. I don't remember either one being bent or split and I assume being split would be what would destroy their usefulness.I kept them figuring I might eventually figure out a use for them,but never really thought they might be worth $$$ as instruments, not being a musician... Thanks for the knowledge lesson on them.
Reply:Originally Posted by mudbugonebut never really thought they might be worth $$$ as instruments
Reply:Holy Mackerel Batman! I'm sure these aren't that expensive or are they ? I want to say one has "Zildjian" stamped into it. (I had to google the spelling) I'll have to find them and really look at them now instead of picking them up in passing from time to time and balancing them on my finger and whacking them to hear the sound... I just never thought they might be worth anything... I guess no one that doesn't know better figures my welders are worth as much either.I'm stunned they can cost that much.... I need to get out more..LOL
Reply:I recall seeing a how it's made type show shot at Zildjian a couple of years back.  The sound comes from the stresses built in the metal, and not the alloy per-se.  They anneal it, and then hammer in a pattern of dimples, and finally grind the dimples out.  That leaves it in a highly stressed and work hardened state.  Any heat will trash all that.  You could possibly braze it, and beat the crap out of it with a ball peen hammer over a shot bag followed by a planishing hammer on an anvil to get some of the sound back, but it won't ever be quite the same.
Reply:zapster plays drums, he might know, but i suspect he  made his cymbals  on a lathe...
Reply:[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VUBV08AdUc]How they're made[/ame]Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Originally Posted by mudbugoneHoly Mackerel Batman! I'm sure these aren't that expensive or are they ? I want to say one has "Zildjian" stamped into it...I'm stunned they can cost that much
Reply:Thanks Jack... I looked around Youtube and found several "fixes" for cymbals,but only one that "looked" like it was braised or welded...there was a link to a contact for repairs..[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2WmhAhnQDs&feature=related[/ame]Most shown repairs are just cutout sections to remove the split.... ugly,but wouldn't heat the cymbalFunny I always assumed they were pressed and spun from sheet brass...interesting... there is a lot to making one
Reply:I never dreamed I would get such a response. I think I like this site. The one thing I should mention is the entire drum set was 299.99$ new. It is a Fender Starcaster 7 piece set. Any of those other symbals are crazy exspensive, espesially the brands like sabian, zildjin,ect. I know the sound will change, but want to know if there is any way I can repair the tear? Minimzing the change in sound would be a bounus. Thanks for all the responses.
Reply:drill spot the crack,, then remove crack by grinding as to not buzzzzzzzzz or rattleor use a large party tray an buy  new maybe a old style soldering iron an silver solderidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tigidealarc 250/250 ac-dc tig #2 used for sticklincoln sp100hh125dual arbor grinder polisher30 yrs of hand tools52 pitch blocks 6p-26prake gauge -pitch gaugeG&D prop repair 918-207-6938Hulbert,okla 74441
Reply:I have around 2200$ worth of cymbals and NO you can NOT weld/braze them..If they are cracked from the edge going to the center then you can (I have done it) take it to a bandsaw and just cut off the broken edge..Sand and re-use.Changes the pitch but after 1/2 hr you will not care anymore.....zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.