Yeah, the blades going to bend. That's what I meant by traveling. sorry poor choice of words. If you have access to a large bandsaw that would get a great way to make the outside cuts.

For the interior, maybe take a spade bit -because of the 10" thickness- and drill a series of holes around the perimeter of the intereior circle. This would help with the bending by allowing you to correct it quickly or remove the issue altogether and shouldn't take as long. This is only for your rough shape, so don't get to close to your final shape lines yet. You'll need chisels, planes and files for that.

If I can make a suggetion of the "Micro-planes" files. Inexpensive and removes wood fast.

Something else that I thought of last night was that you might want to check out some of the Taiko drum making sites. If your not familar with Taiko drums, it is a Japanese drum that is very large, traditionally made from one piece of Elm. I have a antique one that has about a 2' dia. and is about 8" thick. Bison skin is usually used for the head. I found a great site one time that showed a guy making one. Good pictures. I'll try to find it for you.

Good luck.

Andy

I couldn't find the particualr site that I was looking for, but there seems to be a lot more information since the last time I did a search. The Hira Daiko is the drum that I have. The Hira Daiko is defined as having a larger head dia. than the depth.

Another drum that might give you some ideas is the Native American frame, hoop, Pow Wow, etc... drums.

Andy

Brigit,
I can't really make that call without seeing it. If the wood hasn't been under shelter, my guess is that it's beyond the point of being used for a drum.

What kind of wood is it though? A really hard wood or a cedar weathers well and could still be used.

Andy