Sanding block cones

[KennyinDundee]

Hi folks Im playing around with sponges and foams for my trigger cylinders. Ive read that sanding blocks are as cloae as I will get to the firmness of Roland cones. So, Ive bought 3 sanding blocks to experiment with. My question is...whats the best way to remove the actual sand paper outer layer in orser to get to the foam in the middle? I obviously dont want to damage the foam underneath. It seems the sand paper coating is glued to the foam. Thanks for any tips in advance. Kenny

[TheYardbird]

Oh that's a tricky one, the only method I've used to ever get off glue from stuff is heating/melting the glue with a hairdryer or such and then carefully peeling it off.

[KennyinDundee]

Thanks yardbird. Hmmmm...im not sure if thats going to work with the sanding blocks. I wonder if I could rub two sanding blocks together to make them smooth and cut then into cylinders. The sand paper surface would at least be smooth but I have no idea what effect it would have on the triggering.

[bwilburn79]

I'd assume you will cut them into basic shapes and then adhere multiples pieces together to make your final cylinder or cone shape. Once you cut the basic shapes you can easily use a razor blade to cut the sandpaper free from the foam. Kinda like peeling an apple can be a little easier once it has been cut into wedges.

[KennyinDundee]

I was thinking about using a hole cutter attachment for my drill to cut out the cylinders. Think this might work? Anybody done used this cutting method?

[irontodd]

I did exactly this... and then was able to peel the sandpaper off no problem.

[irontodd]

I did exactly this, without the centering bit... Actually used my drill press to make it easy. and then was able to peel the sandpaper off no problem.

[ItsMe]

there are a couple of different foam blocks in the UK one peels of easily the other has to be sliced off with a Stanley knife . the ones that peel off have the best foam for triggers but I found it to wear pretty quick especially on snares so I stopped using it a long time ago. I found a foam aerobic mat from Decathlon to be perfect and use that all the time now with great results..

[allanjohn]

I was thinking about using a hole cutter attachment for my drill to cut out the cylinders. Think this might work? Anybody done used this cutting method?

Yes, but you end up with a hole in the middle. Not a big deal, but something to be aware of.

[mikejl46]

I cut mine into blocks, then use a ban saw to cut off the sanding surface, or it would be easier to remove the sanding surface after you cut the foam into the smaller piece rather than trying to remove it from the larger block of foam first.

I as also able to use this method to form the blocks into a cone shape. http://www.edrums.info/foam_cone.htm

[Meshopotamia]

I as also able to use this method to form the blocks into a cone shape. http://www.edrums.info/foam_cone.htm

That's how I did the one I made the other day, thanks for the approach. (thought I'd seen it in this forum). Mine didn't want to let go of the material, was pretty firm stuff.

[irontodd]

I was thinking about using a hole cutter attachment for my drill to cut out the cylinders. Think this might work? Anybody done used this cutting method?

I did exactly this, without the centering bit... Actually used my drill press to make it easy. and then was able to peel the sandpaper off no problem.

[ronyd]

I cut into blocks first. Xacto knife to start it off, then just peeled off with my fingers. Used the described on edrums. Worked great.

I thought I give it try in order to determine if the DIY trigger works any better than my ddrum Pro and Pintech stick on triggers. I'm using a TD-3, and seems like the kick just doesn;t have the pop or drive. Yes, if I boost the volume up, the bass sound better, but all other sound sources are also loud.

Bottom line is all 3 triggers produce the some tone. Wondering if the sounds for the kick on the TD-3 are the reason?

Going to try the cross brace and move the trigger closer to the to the beater (slightly above the strike zone) next to experiment.

[bwilburn79]

Oh, I see the issue ronyd. You have to use your left foot for the kick and that's just not right. ; )

[ronyd]

too funny. I knew IT!!

[KennyinDundee]

So Ive eventually got round to using my hole cutter attachment and my drill to cut out cylinders from the sanding blocks. Ive got 6 foam cylinders now. Im going to attempt to cut away the sand paper using a bread knife later tonight! Wish me luck!

[SilentSeraphTwo]

Sanding blocks may work... I didn't have the best experience though, they worked fine for a couple weeks, and then literally disintegrated. It may be because I cut it in half, so the harder outer layer was only on one side, but still something to consider.

[KennyinDundee]

Cut them in half? Im not sure why you did that? Ive cut my cylinders and Ive now removed the top and bottom sandpaper layers. There is a hole right through the centre because of the drill bit but I dont think that will affect triggering. Im going to try them out tomoro.