Timpani Maintenance Tool List

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

Light Mark XI being serviced on site