Hey there, fellow rhythm enthusiasts! Ron here, your go-to guy for all things drums and percussion. Today, we’re diving into a topic that’s close to my heart and hopefully close to your workshop – upcycling old cymbals. As drummers, we’ve all faced the bittersweet moment when a beloved cymbal cracks or loses its shine. But fear not! Instead of letting these metallic treasures gather dust, we’re going to transform them into something spectacular.
In this post, we’ll explore three creative projects that will breathe new life into your old cymbals. Whether you’re a seasoned DIY pro or just starting out, these projects are designed to be fun, rewarding, and totally doable. So, dust off those old cymbals, grab your tools, and let’s get ready to upcycle!
The Art of Cymbal Upcycling: Why Bother?
Before we dive into our projects, let’s talk about why upcycling old cymbals is such a fantastic idea. First and foremost, it’s an eco-friendly practice. By repurposing these metal discs, we’re reducing waste and giving new life to materials that would otherwise end up in a landfill. It’s a small step, but every little bit helps in our quest for a greener planet.
Secondly, upcycling allows us to hold onto the memories associated with our cymbals. That cracked ride cymbal might have been with you through countless gigs and jam sessions. By transforming it into something new, you’re preserving its history and giving it a chance to continue being a part of your musical journey.
Moreover, upcycling cymbals is a great way to flex your creative muscles. It challenges you to think outside the box and see the potential in something that might otherwise be considered trash. Plus, the end results are often unique, conversation-starting pieces that you can’t find in any store.
Lastly, let’s not forget the financial aspect. Quality cymbals can be expensive, and getting creative with old ones can save you money while also providing you with cool, custom percussion instruments or home decor. It’s a win-win situation!
Understanding Cymbal Composition
Before we start our upcycling projects, it’s important to understand what we’re working with. Most cymbals are made from an alloy called bell bronze, which typically consists of about 80% copper and 20% tin. This composition gives cymbals their distinctive sound and durability.
The manufacturing process of cymbals involves several steps, including casting, rolling, shaping, hammering, and lathing. This complex process results in a unique grain structure within the metal, which contributes to the cymbal’s sound. When we upcycle cymbals, we’re working with this specially treated metal, which can behave differently than regular sheet metal.
Understanding this composition can help us in our upcycling projects. For instance, when drilling or cutting cymbals, we need to be aware that the metal can be brittle and prone to cracking if not handled carefully. Additionally, the unique properties of cymbal bronze can lead to interesting visual effects when we’re creating decorative pieces.
Project 1: The Shimmering Cymbal Stack
Our first project is a classic in the world of cymbal upcycling – creating a cymbal stack. This project is perfect for those old cymbals that have lost their original shine but still have some life left in them. A cymbal stack can add a unique, trashy sound to your kit that’s perfect for accents and effects.
Gathering Your Materials
To create your cymbal stack, you’ll need:
- 2-3 old cymbals of varying sizes (crash, splash, or hi-hat cymbals work well)
- A cymbal stand or boom arm
- Felt washers
- A wing nut
- Sandpaper (optional)
- Protective gloves and eyewear
Remember, safety first! Always wear protective gear when working with metal.
Crafting Your Stack
Start by assessing your cymbals. If they have any sharp edges from cracks or breaks, use sandpaper to smooth these out. This step is crucial for safety and will also improve the sound of your stack.
Next, decide on the order of your cymbals. Generally, you’ll want the largest cymbal on the bottom and the smallest on top, but feel free to experiment with different arrangements. The beauty of a cymbal stack is in its customization.
Place a felt washer on your cymbal stand, then add your bottom cymbal. Add another felt washer, then your next cymbal, and so on until all your cymbals are stacked. Finish with a final felt washer and secure everything with the wing nut.
Fine-Tuning Your Sound
Now comes the fun part – adjusting your stack for the perfect sound. Experiment with the tightness of the wing nut. A looser stack will give you more wash and sizzle, while a tighter stack will produce a quick, sharp attack.
Try playing your stack in different areas. The center will give you a more focused sound, while playing near the edge will produce a trashier effect. Don’t be afraid to mix and match different cymbals until you find a combination that speaks to you.
Remember, there’s no “right” way to create a cymbal stack. The goal is to create a sound that complements your playing style and adds a unique flavor to your kit. So let your ears be your guide, and have fun exploring the sonic possibilities!
Advanced Stack Techniques
Once you’ve mastered the basics of cymbal stacking, you can start exploring more advanced techniques. Here are a few ideas to take your stack to the next level:
- Inverted stacks: Try placing a smaller cymbal underneath a larger one. This can create interesting overtones and a unique visual effect.
- Adding rivets: Drill small holes around the edge of one of your cymbals and insert rivets. This will add a sizzle effect to your stack.
- Incorporating non-cymbal elements: Experiment with adding other metal objects to your stack, like old pot lids or metal discs. This can create entirely new sounds and textures.
- Double stacks: If you have enough cymbals, try creating two separate stacks and placing them side by side. This can give you a wider range of sounds to work with.
Remember, the key to a great cymbal stack is experimentation. Don’t be afraid to try unconventional combinations – you might just stumble upon your new signature sound!
Project 2: The Celestial Cymbal Wind Chime
Our second project takes us away from the drum kit and into the realm of home decor. We’re going to create a beautiful, sonorous wind chime using old cymbals. This project is perfect for those cymbals that are too damaged to use in a stack but still have a lovely tone when struck.
Gathering Your Materials
For this project, you’ll need:
- 1-3 old cymbals (depending on the size of your wind chime)
- Strong nylon string or thin wire
- A drill with a small bit
- Sandpaper
- A piece of driftwood or a sturdy branch
- Small bells or other chimes (optional)
- Protective gloves and eyewear
Crafting Your Wind Chime
Start by cleaning your cymbals thoroughly. Years of playing can leave a lot of grime, and we want our wind chime to look as good as it sounds. Once clean, use sandpaper to smooth any rough edges or cracks.
Next, you’ll need to drill small holes in your cymbals. For a single cymbal wind chime, drill one hole near the edge. If you’re using multiple cymbals, drill a hole near the edge of each. Always wear protective gear when drilling metal, and go slowly to avoid cracking the cymbal.
Now, cut your driftwood or branch to the desired length for your wind chime. Drill small holes in this piece as well – one for each cymbal, plus one in the center for hanging.
Thread your nylon string or wire through the holes in your cymbals and tie them securely to your driftwood. Vary the lengths for a more interesting visual and auditory effect. If you’re using additional chimes or bells, add these as well.
Finally, create a hanging loop by threading string through the center hole of your driftwood.
Customizing Your Chime
The beauty of this project lies in its customization. You can add beads, seashells, or other found objects to your wind chime for visual interest. Consider painting your driftwood or adding decorative wrapping.
Experiment with the placement of your cymbals. Hanging them at slightly different angles can create more interesting sounds as they move in the wind. You might also try cutting your cymbals into smaller pieces for a more delicate chime effect. <image3>
Remember, the goal is to create something that’s both visually appealing and musically interesting. Let your creativity guide you, and don’t be afraid to think outside the box!
The Science of Sound in Wind Chimes
Understanding a bit about the science of sound can help you create a more harmonious wind chime. When a cymbal vibrates, it produces a complex series of overtones. The fundamental tone (the lowest and usually loudest tone) is determined by the cymbal’s size and thickness.
In general, larger cymbals will produce lower tones, while smaller cymbals will produce higher tones. By combining cymbals of different sizes, you can create a wind chime with a pleasing range of tones.
Consider also the concept of consonance and dissonance in music. Consonant intervals (like octaves, perfect fifths, and major thirds) tend to sound pleasant to most ears, while dissonant intervals can create tension. You can use this knowledge to choose cymbal combinations that create the mood you’re after, whether it’s serene and harmonious or more eclectic and avant-garde.
Project 3: The Radiant Cymbal Lamp
Our final project really pushes the boundaries of cymbal upcycling. We’re going to create a stunning, one-of-a-kind lamp using an old cymbal as the shade. This project is perfect for larger cymbals like rides or crashes that have seen better days but still retain their shape.
Gathering Your Materials
For this illuminating project, you’ll need:
- A large old cymbal
- A lamp kit (including socket, cord, and plug)
- A drill with various bit sizes
- Sandpaper
- Spray paint (optional)
- A light bulb (LED recommended)
- Protective gloves and eyewear
Crafting Your Lamp
Begin by thoroughly cleaning your cymbal and smoothing any rough edges with sandpaper. If you want to change the color of your cymbal, now is the time to apply spray paint. Make sure to use paint suitable for metal surfaces.
Next, you’ll need to drill a hole in the center of your cymbal for the lamp socket. The size of this hole will depend on your lamp kit, so refer to the instructions that come with it. Always wear protective gear when drilling metal.
Once your hole is drilled, assemble your lamp kit according to its instructions. Most kits are straightforward, but if you’re not comfortable working with electrical components, consider seeking help from someone with experience.
After your lamp is assembled, it’s time to add some flair. You can drill additional small holes in your cymbal to create interesting light patterns when the lamp is on. Just be careful not to compromise the cymbal’s structural integrity.
Customizing Your Lamp
The customization options for your cymbal lamp are virtually endless. You could add a decorative finial to the top of the cymbal for a more polished look. Or, consider hanging small percussive elements like bells or chimes from the edge of the cymbal for added visual and auditory interest.
Experiment with different types of light bulbs to create varying atmospheres. A warm, low-wattage bulb can create a cozy ambiance, while a brighter LED can make your lamp a real conversation piece.
Remember, the key to a successful cymbal lamp is balance. You want to create something that’s visually striking and functionally effective. Don’t be afraid to adjust and readjust until you achieve the perfect look and feel.
Safety Considerations for DIY Lighting
When creating your own lamp, safety should be your top priority. Here are some important points to keep in mind:
- Use UL-listed lamp kits: These have been tested for safety and comply with electrical standards.
- Choose the right bulb: Make sure your bulb wattage doesn’t exceed the rating of your lamp kit.
- Proper grounding: Ensure your lamp is properly grounded to prevent electrical shocks.
- Heat management: Be aware that some bulbs can generate significant heat. LED bulbs are often a safer choice as they run cooler.
- Stability: Make sure your lamp is stable and not top-heavy to prevent it from tipping over.
By keeping these safety considerations in mind, you can create a beautiful and safe cymbal lamp that will light up your space for years to come.
The Environmental Impact of Upcycling
As we wrap up our cymbal upcycling projects, it’s worth taking a moment to consider the broader environmental impact of what we’re doing. Upcycling is more than just a fun DIY activity – it’s a way to reduce waste and conserve resources.
The production of cymbals, like any manufacturing process, requires energy and resources. By giving new life to old cymbals, we’re extending their useful lifespan and reducing the demand for new production. This, in turn, helps to conserve the raw materials and energy that would be needed to create new cymbals.
Moreover, metal items like cymbals can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. By upcycling, we’re keeping these items out of the waste stream and reducing the burden on our landfills.
But the benefits don’t stop there. Upcycling also encourages us to think creatively about waste and see the potential in items we might otherwise discard. This mindset can extend beyond cymbals to other areas of our lives, leading to a more sustainable lifestyle overall.
So the next time you upcycle a cymbal (or any other item), remember that you’re not just creating something cool – you’re also doing your part for the environment. It’s a small step, but if we all embrace this kind of creative reuse, we can make a significant positive impact on our planet.
Conclusion: The Beat Goes On
And there you have it, folks! Three creative ways to breathe new life into your old cymbals. From the functionally musical cymbal stack to the serene wind chime and the illuminating cymbal lamp, we’ve explored a range of projects that showcase the versatility of these percussive pieces.
Upcycling old cymbals is more than just a fun DIY project – it’s a way to honor the history of your instruments, reduce waste, and create something truly unique. Each of these projects allows you to keep a piece of your musical journey alive in a new form.
Remember, the key to successful upcycling is creativity and patience. Don’t be discouraged if your first attempt doesn’t turn out exactly as planned. Like mastering a new drum fill, it takes practice and persistence to perfect your upcycling skills.
I hope this post has inspired you to look at your old cymbals in a new light. Whether you’re creating a new sound for your kit, adding a musical touch to your garden, or illuminating your space with a one-of-a-kind lamp, you’re giving these cymbals a second chance to shine.
So, what are you waiting for? Dust off those old cymbals and start upcycling! And hey, if you create any of these projects, I’d love to see them. Share your creations in the comments below or on social media with the hashtag #UpcycledCymbals.
Until next time, keep those sticks clicking and those cymbals… well, not just crashing, but creating too! This is Ron, signing off. Happy drumming and happy upcycling!