When I travel for work, I often have clients purchase or borrow tools that would be more expensive to send ahead than to purchase. The cost of shipping a 700lb pallet is far more than purchasing this entire list!
This list serves several purposes:
- Provide easy to follow links to many easy to get tools and materials
- Make a list for any timpanist or band director that may want to stock up on maintenance items
- Provide Amazon Affiliate Links that help DK Percussion at no extra cost to you!
While I would certainly appreciate you following these links, feel no obligation to purchase these items from Amazon as many are available locally.
The List
| Item | Use |
|---|---|
| Drill and battery with charger | Spin wire brushes, remove bolts, etc… |
| Socket set with 8 point sockets | General use, inc. 8pt sockets for square keys |
| Socket adapter | Use drill with sockets for speedy removal |
| Multi-bit screw driver | Great multi-bit screw driver |
| Drill bit set | If you need to make holes… |
| Allen keys – ball ends | Ball ends allow angled approach to adjustments |
| 12″ crescent wrenches (2 wrenches) | Bending, hanger adjustments, large nut removal |
| SAE ratcheting wrenches, flex head | Flex head fits in tight spaces for Lights, Ludwig |
| Metric ratcheting wrenches, flex head | Metric flex heads for Adams, Yamaha, etc |
| Brass shim material | For alignment of frame, hanger, ratchets |
| Utility knife | For general cutting and adhesive removal |
| Razor blades | For general cutting and adhesive removal |
| Wire brushes (Drill) | For cleaning grim from holes |
| Wire brushes (Hand) | For cleaning grim from pedals, etc |
| Penetrating oil | Fixing stuck fasteners or parts |
| Blue paper towels | Long lasting paper towels |
| Microfiber cloths | Great for cleaning and degreasing |
| Small measuring tape | Measure hoops, heads, etc |
| WD-40 | Helps with rust prevention and removal (not a lube) |
| Scotchbrite pads | Tough cleaning tasks and “brushed” finish look |
| Steel wool #0000 | Finer cleaning tasks like bearing edges |
| Punch set (Cone) | Reset rivets, mark holes for drilling |
| Punch set (pin/flat) | Reset rivets, remove/install roll pins |
| Rubber mallet | Remove copper bowl dents (needs modification) |
| Hammer & Dolly set | For fine copper bowl work and copper hardening |
| Heavy hammer | For use with punches |
| Table vise (clamp-on) | For rivet setting, general work |
| Butane blow torch | Thread locker removal |
| Butane refill | Blow torch refill |
| Thread locker Blue: non-permanent | Lock threads to prevent rattling (pedals, ears, etc) |
| Thread locker Red: permanent | Lock threads to make permanent (casters, etc) |
| Thread files (set) | Repair dented/stripped external threads |
| Thread Repair Kit (SAE and Metric) | Repair internal threads |
| File (flat) | File off burrs, general repairs |
| Adhesive remover (Goof Off is the best!) | Remove old adhesive from anything (felt, moleskin) |
| Windex | Great for general cleaning |
| Canned air | Dust/debris removal without an air compressor |
| Greased Lightning Degreaser | Remove old grease, grime, etc |
| Moly grease | Best grease for Lights, tension rods, etc |
| 1″ Moleskin (one roll: two instruments) | Replacement moleskin for suspension rings |
| Scissors | For general cutting, including shim material |
| Tub-o-towels | Clean your hands after work |
| Teflon tape, DK Percussion | Bearing edge teflon tape for timpani |
| 3/8″ adhesive felt, Durofelt: SAS38TMBK-25 | Felt for counter hoops. (3/8: square, 1/2-5/8: angle) |
| Water Heater Key | Cheap Alternative for Yamaha, Ludwig & Hinger keys |



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