Question:
Crack in crash cymbal?
box778899
2007-05-02 14:20:46 UTC
I found a small crack in my crash yesterday. When I hit the crash it rattles. How can I stop the crack from growing and stop the rattle?
Three answers:
SoxFanForLife
2007-05-02 14:40:13 UTC
You have options....



+ Throw it away!

Accept the fact that it is dead and gone. There is nothing you can do.



+ Ask the dealer/manufacturer for a replacement.

Try to send it straight back to the dealer or even the cymbal manufacturer. At least try to get a new one before going into major surgery. For example, Zildjian's usually very good about replacing cracked cymbals, no questions asked.



+ Fix with epoxy

Cracked cymbals can be brought back to usefulness. The procedure works like this. Force Epoxy into the crack. Strike the cymbal hard several times to vibrate glue deeper into the crack. Apply more Epoxy and strike several times again. Wipe away excess. Bake the cymbal in a 200 degree oven for about an hour. This hardens the Epoxy to a glassy consistency. Let the cymbal cool naturally. Let stand for at least 24 hrs before playing. If done correctly, it works.



+ Fix by soldering/welding

An alternative way is to solder over the crack on both sides (standard solder for electronics). Polish the damaged part until it is all clean and shiny, this way the solder will grip properly. I found this to restore much of the original sound. Unfortunately, it tends to crack up again after about a day's playing (that is for cracks on the edge). I guess that stronger stuff (like welding) might last longer, but would probably melt the cymbal.



+ Fix by drilling

Cracked cymbals are no too easy to fix or work with. You may try drilling a small hole at each end of the crack to prevent further spread, and then widen the crack -- Like they did with the Liberty Bell the first few times it cracked. This will stop it from buzzing, but not much else.



If the crack starts from the edge, drill the other end and then make a wide, V-shaped notch starting from the hole.



Drilling may (with good luck) prevent the crack from getting bigger but it seldom improves the quality of the sound.



Also found this online:

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If you have a cracked cymbal, CAREFULLY drill a small hole at the end of the crack nearest the bell if the crack radiates from edge towards the middle. If the crack is PARALLEL TO THE EDGE, drill a hole at BOTH ends. Although this will extend the life of the cymbal, its days are numbered!
Answer Schmancer
2007-05-02 14:26:07 UTC
It's time for a new cymbal. You can try to put duct tape on it, that may stop the crack from growing, but will deaden the sound. Of course the sound is probably already screwed up from the crack.
silvana
2016-05-19 04:41:29 UTC
If you have a blowtorch handy you could probably gets some solder and close it up


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
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