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Step 6Attaching Bass Drum Pedal
The metal plate is the critical component in suitcase construction. I have tried and seen others try many approaches that fail or make the suitcase very clumsy.
When drummers see the suitcase drum set they always ask, “Why doesn't it t fall over when you hit it?” The metal plate takes care of that problem. Any ¼” thick metal will work, but aluminum is best.
Pedals are designed to clamp on a bass drum hoop, which is about ¼” thick. It needs to be ¼” thick or the bass drum pedal will not attach well. The piece I used was recycled from another project and has a trapezoid shape. The shape is not critical. I recommend a 3 ½ ”x4” rectangle -- if you're buying this piece from a metal shop, they can cut it for you. The size can change slightly depending on the pedal and suitcase used -- use your judgment.
Countersinking the screws is necessary so the bolt heads don’t touch the ground and throw the suitcase off-balance. Drill three holes in a triangle pattern. The triangle pattern is to create enough stability.
To attach the plate, you must first find the perfect spot to mount it.
Clamp the plate in the pedal and slide the plate under the suitcase (either side of the suitcase is fine, I hit both sides of the case to hear which side has a lower pitched sound, and pick that one).
When pedal is depressed and beater is touching drum, the beater shaft should be parallel to the suitcase. Mark the spot where the plate is and drill holes in suitcase using the plate as a template.
Bolt the plate to the suitcase using lock nuts and flat washers.
After its bolted on, cut a piece of rubber just big enough to cover one side of the exposed plate and glue it on. Gorilla glue works great. The rubber keeps the pedal from slipping off the smooth metal. Don’t skip this step.
Now you can set up the bare-bones kit and jam out.
When drummers see the suitcase drum set they always ask, “Why doesn't it t fall over when you hit it?” The metal plate takes care of that problem. Any ¼” thick metal will work, but aluminum is best.
Pedals are designed to clamp on a bass drum hoop, which is about ¼” thick. It needs to be ¼” thick or the bass drum pedal will not attach well. The piece I used was recycled from another project and has a trapezoid shape. The shape is not critical. I recommend a 3 ½ ”x4” rectangle -- if you're buying this piece from a metal shop, they can cut it for you. The size can change slightly depending on the pedal and suitcase used -- use your judgment.
Countersinking the screws is necessary so the bolt heads don’t touch the ground and throw the suitcase off-balance. Drill three holes in a triangle pattern. The triangle pattern is to create enough stability.
To attach the plate, you must first find the perfect spot to mount it.
Clamp the plate in the pedal and slide the plate under the suitcase (either side of the suitcase is fine, I hit both sides of the case to hear which side has a lower pitched sound, and pick that one).
When pedal is depressed and beater is touching drum, the beater shaft should be parallel to the suitcase. Mark the spot where the plate is and drill holes in suitcase using the plate as a template.
Bolt the plate to the suitcase using lock nuts and flat washers.
After its bolted on, cut a piece of rubber just big enough to cover one side of the exposed plate and glue it on. Gorilla glue works great. The rubber keeps the pedal from slipping off the smooth metal. Don’t skip this step.
Now you can set up the bare-bones kit and jam out.
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Anyone else know of an easy source? needs to be about an 1/8" thick.