DIY Percussion: Homemade practice pad

Inspired at least a little by the Live Edge drum pads, where someone took a tree round, dipped it in flex seal and charged a hundred and fifty bucks for it, I decided to make my own.

It’s not pretty.

I used the bottom deck of an old Remo practice pad. The second generation of these pads used hard plastic rims that would chip if you hit a rimshot too hard, and eventually the rims cracked completely. I removed the screws, the broken rim, head and foam insert.

Roughed up the bottom, poured successive thin layers of Flex Seal liquid, let each layer dry for two days before pouring the next. (Outside, in the shed, with the screen window wide open. Don't do this inside your house!)

I had trouble wrangling the can and the liquid and made a bit of a mess. But I wore protective gloves and shop glasses, and got it done.

The end result is surprisingly functional. Best with concert or drum kit sticks.

You may want to glue a closed-cell foam backing to the bottom to give it more muffling and a nonskid surface.

I ended up doing three of these pads and I’m giving a couple to friends as gifts. I probably won't try this again, as a can of Flex Seal starts at around 18 bucks. 

Right now, this pad is drying outside because I decided to glue an ensolite foam pad to the underside.

I think it will help with the tone and slightly reduced vibration.

 

Video below shows the pad in use with jazz sticks, concert sticks and light marching sticks.