Drum Building 101 - The Pros And Cons Of Tube Lugs
Tube lugs seem to be the lug of choice for most "custom" drum companies and for good reasons - they look great on any drum and are usually made out of solid brass which makes them very durable. There is however some characteristics about tube lugs that could make them difficult to work with for the amateur drum builder. You may have noticed that many lugs have an insert inside the lug that can move around slightly to accept the tension rod. Tube lugs do not have this move-able insert so your drilling must be precise.
Also, when you use tube lugs it is a good idea to grab some extra rubber gaskets or nylon washers/spacers to put in between the lug and the shell. They will come in handy if you install your lugs only to find out that the lug doesn't have enough lift off of the shell for the tension rod to screw in straight. Example:
The tension rod in this picture screws in at an angle, which will ruin your lug and your tension rod over time, not to mention it will give you major tuning problems. Also know that you can't use the same lug on a bass drum as you would on a tom or snare. Bass drums need lugs specifically made for bass drums. Bass drum lugs have more "lift" off of the shell than tom or snare lugs because they use larger hoops than a triple flanged or die cast hoop. A best practice when ordering lugs is to talk to your supplier over the phone to discuss exactly what you need and make sure that whatever they supply you with will work for your drum.
About the Author
Philip Ellis is a professional drummer, runs P.Ellis Drums, a custom drum company in Austin, TX and is the Author of “How to Make Custom Drums”. Check out http://www.makedrums.com to learn more about how to build your very own custom drum or drum set!
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