cape cod polishing cloths are the deal on nickel. you'll love them. some ace hardware stores carry them. i buy mine on ebay.

sorry to hear about the p83. i guess ive been lucky. ive got many of them but havent had that problem.

mike

all my p83's work well... it could just be worn. Ive placed very thin washers to take up the slack on ones that were a bit sloppy... but then again some are just plain worn out.

Nothing beats a good ol powered bench polishing wheel for buffing out nickel hoops etc... that nice golden glow.

Love the early 6.5 luddys.... my favorite fat drum sound. I have two already and just purchased 2 more beat up ones to refinish. I think I'm addicted.

A before and after of my school fest with nickel that was buffed out on the wheel.

[IMG]http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff177/nashdrum/ludwig%20schoolfest/beforesd.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff177/nashdrum/ludwig%20schoolfest/aftersd.jpg[/IMG]

Not sure how the strainer is constructed but with some older throws I've re-tapped any rivets by setting them on a anvil or other chunk of metal and with a larger nail set tapped the machine rivet down so it's tighter. A few solid taps are all you need and you're back in business.

Wow...great job on that polish job! Can you share any more details on it? Are there different types of polishing wheels? What sort of polish did you use? I'm looking at a snare right now that has some pretty dull nickel...was wondering if I could bring it back to life, if I were to buy it.

Thanks,

Aaron

cotton wheel with red compound... work slow, these can heat up, good luck!

overview here...

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/buffman.htm

Some folks fix the P-83 by putting a small rubber band around the handle and the adjustment knob, thereby holding them together.

Nashdrum, great job refurbing that 6.5 Luddie. Did you remove the badge while stripping the shell? If so, what did you use to put the badge grommet back on? I've purchased a couple of grommet installers but they go off-center when I tighten them down, producing an off-center bent grommet.

Tubelugs... yes I removed. If you carefully file the old one without removing too much material you can many times re-use the original grommet. I used a press they have at the shop where I work... I think my friend got it off ebay...seems to work ok. Sorry, I cant help you more with that... its the only one Ive personally used.

The old style P-83s where the strainer slide was lifted by a rider that rides in a slot in the handle become a problem when the area that is suppose to catch the slide rider wears off. (Huh? See the photo.) I've had a some luck using a round metal file to slightly deepen the spot where the rider is suppose to catch but, unless you get the edge just right it doesn't necessarily help. Does any of that make sense? Maybe the rubber band is the safest idea??!

Of course, the newer P-83s have a lever arm that lifts the slide and do not wear out as quickly.

Do you ever use semichrome or other metal polish with a wheel? I just got a drill mount wheel. The kit came with brown, white & red compound.

Thanks for any input,

Brian