dculgan - Posted - 03/12/2010:  04:38:21

Could someone point me toward a Banjo Hangout post or other web site with detailed instructions on how to install a tack head on a rim. In this case I'm replacing a torn head on a reproduction minstrel style tambourine and was particularly interested in how to glue it. I thought I had saved a post or link in anticipation of this repair but can't seem to locate it and I wasn't able to find anything here using the search function.
Thanks,
Dave Culgan

asandwho - Posted - 03/12/2010:  04:48:31

Just got this yesterday from Jeff Delfied:

David Hyatt's webpage (http://www.dhyatt.com/index.html)
go to craftmanship link

Hope it helps.

Bisbonian - Posted - 03/12/2010:  09:38:06

That's exactly where I learned to do it. It's not hard, Dave, just messy :) You can get new heads from several places, I usually get them from Elderly. I just use the typical yellow wood glue...the wet skin head dilutes it a bit and it gets smeared all over. If you are replacing a skin, then you've got holes in the rim from whatever tacks were used the first time...this will make the job easier, since you don't have to space them evenly and make the holes. I soak the head in warm water, spread a layer of glue around the rim down to just below the row of tack holes, and then put the skin over the rim and get it even. Put a tack in on one side, and then directly on the opposite side, stretching it as tightly as you can while holding onto a wet, slippery, glue smeared animal skin. It's important not to get it too tight, or it will split, but under the conditions, if you stretch it as tightly as you can just using your fingers, you should be fine. I have never had one split. Once you've got a tack at 12 and 6 o'clock, do 3 and 9, and then keep working around the rim.

Once you get the skin on, spend some time getting the skin to stick to the side of the rim. Keep smoothing out wrinkles, and smooshing the skin to the side of the rim. Don't push on the top! As you're doing that, wipe off as much excess glue as you can...the thin layer that is left can easily be scraped off as it dries. Don't let that set up hard, though. And add a touch of glue to any problem areas you have that keep popping up or wrinkling. As the skin dries, and the glue dries, it will eventually stretch and conform exactly to the rim. Once it all stays smooth, take a sharp hobby knife and trim the skin evenly (some people make scallops around the tacks...real pretty), it's a lot easier to do while the skin is still somewhat damp. Once it is all behaving, set it aside until tomorrow...don't fall into the temptation to thump it!

Here is my first:

Edited by - Bisbonian on 03/12/2010 09:41:41

dculgan - Posted - 03/12/2010:  12:30:45

That looks real good. Thanks to both of you for your help. I was wondering about the David Holt article mentioning Elmer's hide glue - I was planning on using yellow glue. I actually did this once (different tamborine) about ten years ago but I didn't recall using glue, though I must have because when I looked at the other one - it is glued! These belong to the the percussion player in my band. We already have the hide - he ordered it from Mid-East. Its a huge tamborine - about a 17" rim.
Regards,
Dave

dculgan - Posted - 03/12/2010:  12:31:43

Whoops !meant David Hyatt!

strumn1 - Posted - 03/12/2010:  14:18:10

Bisbonian...that looks too perfect to be a gourd. Is it? Did you paint or stain it to be so uniform and even? Or is it a salad bowl?

Edited by - strumn1 on 03/12/2010 14:19:24