Thanks! I purchased one on ebay last night....

You won't regret it! I also have this tool, in addition to a specialty tool for use with repro aluminum Slingerland-style grommets. These grommets are even a bit too thick to handle the previously mentioned grommet tool.

Mark

There are a couple of details that will make the inside look much more like a factory grommet. Cut or grind the length of the grommet barrel so only about 1-2 mm of the barrel are visible inside the shell. Also if you are drilling the vent hole for the first time (as opposed to one that is already drilled)...make the barrel fit snug in the hole.

The less of that barrel that needs to "flange" over the less likely it will split. It just makes for a nice clean look. Take it slow and DO NOT over tighten. Tighten only as far as is needed to make the grommet not twist in the hole.

I ordered ez tool from old Kentucky drums and agree that after wrapping any drum the sweet touch on the badge/grommit install is essential.

Couldn't agree more. Ballpark $40 Best resto money you'll ever spend.

I too have the Old Kentucky tool and it's great. However, has anyone found a tool that works perfectly for metal shells?

That's a very good question.

Just last week I tried a regular Slingerland grommet on my krupa chrome over brass shell.

It just won't tighten up, lose as a goose. And I have the Old Kentucky tool.

Is there a special grommet for the brass shells?

It doesn't work very well on thin metal shells you can start off with it but have to go to the ball peen method to finish it off.

Well, I've seen the grommets with the spacer that would work but just exactly what do the drum companies use that we don't know about?

Thanks Mark.

I'm afraid of denting with the ball peen method. Ya know, you just want to give it that one last shot.