Hi, Creekers,
While I get the finishing schedule for the 13 x 5.5 stave drum figured out, I'll swing you attention to a 12" diameter x 6" tall walnut stave shell. 16 staves, and about 1/2" thick.
There is no "normal" for a stave drum thickness, but many builders like 3/8" as a starting point. Similarly, 14" diameter snares are "normal", with 13" diameter snares as the second "normal". 12" and 10" snare drums have nicknames like firecracker and popcorn snares, owing the sound is much higher pitched and popping-like.
Many of my shells are 3/8", but with this project, I'm exploring the thicker shell, and the smaller diameter.
I'll start the story here, with the raw shell already turned and sanded. (One day, I'll start a drum story at the very beginning...!)
turn_done.jpg
I used 5-6 coats of Waterlox sealer, and 3-4 coats of Zinsser's spray shellac. Because I plan to use General Finishes water borne acrylic, the shellac acts as a barrier coat.
outside_shellac.jpg
And the inside is sprayed. The inside was actually sprayed first, but for the sake of the story to talk about Waterlox and the shellac, the outside provided a much better view.
inside_shellac_1.jpg