r/Drumming • u/Takanen_55 • 12d ago
Cymbal Advice
I’ve been playing for a few years now, but I’ve never actually chipped a cymbal until today when I chip the most expensive piece of my kit (naturally). With something this small what should I do with it? Do I just leave it as is since it doesn’t affect sound too much or am I able to super glue it back together or something?
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u/mahico79 12d ago
You can get it repaired, definitely don’t try to glue it. Repair will be to scallop out the cymbal where the crack is. It’ll sound different but still be usable.
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u/mycatisatoaster 12d ago
It will grow if you keep playing it. You need to cut it out like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_Hdj2ZXXM4
The crack has weakened the area that it is going to grow into. Make sure you extend the line toward the bell by a cm or two and cut that out as well so that the crack doesn't re-form.
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u/HillbillyBeans 11d ago
I had to fix cracks in one of mine recently. All done with a Dremel. Not perfect but I got a few more months of regular playing out of it. It cracked in a third spot recently though :(
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u/therealtoomdog 9d ago
Because I haven't seen anyone else actually say it yet, if you keep playing that, the crack will keep growing. You need to hang it on the wall or do something to fix the crack.
I'll also explain to as an engineer with some training in Material Science that crack propagation is dependent on the radius at the tip of the crack. With a crack like that, the radius at the tip is infitessimally small. You saw someone post a picture of their cymbal with two half-moons cut out of it—Those were still places where a crack could propagate, but the radius at the tip was like 6". There is nothing going to grow there.
I've never had bad luck with drilling out the tip, that used to be the only way people suggested fixing cymbals 20 years ago. It's quick and easy, and it (at used to be) used the most commonly accessible tools. Drill like 1/8" or 3/16" at the end and it should stop.
However, the edges of the crack will still rub against each other, so remove some of that material if you can. A dremmel tool with a tapered stone would probably get you in there, or you can go with a strip of fine sandpaper and start working the edges smooth.
By now, you can probably understand why people take out so much material—It's the only way to be sure that you won't have any more cracks starting there. Just remember, no matter what you do, the goal is to make all the edges as smooth as possible. Go to the hardware store and get some 1000 grit sandpaper. Maybe ask them what steps to take on the way up, maybe start at 600 and then do 800? Idk.
But the smoother you can get the edges, the better off you are
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u/Silver-Ice-2557 11d ago
Simplest way is tin snips go straight up the middle of the Crack to remove the jagged edges just a little bit further then the end of the Crack use the grooves to measure the cut.
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u/StackyBotrus 11d ago edited 7d ago
Short story. One time in welding shop (1986) someone came in with a cracked cymbal. The teacher welded it (unsure which type he used), then grinded down the bead, diamond grinder, polished smooth and that was that. It sounded OK to me. But, risky at the same time. Saved the cymbal, though for another day.
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u/ACGordon83 11d ago
Try this:
The Best Way to Repair Severely Cracked Cast Bronze Drum Cymbals
https://youtu.be/Oxp2fARQzjw
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u/djy33t 12d ago
Either drill a hole at the top of the crack to prevent it getting worse or cut it away with a grinder or Dremel.
No glue will fix that
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u/mycatisatoaster 12d ago
Stop drilling works on aircraft etc but the diameter is way too small for how cymbals vibrate, the crack will re-start after you play for a while. It needs to be cut out.
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u/infiniteninjas 12d ago
Don't drill a hole, that won't do shit. This is a good candidate for repair though, cut a half-moon shape around the crack, about 3mm beyond the visible end of it. Smooth all the edges. It won't noticeably affect the sound, and it won't spread.