knothead1
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Registered: 06-2008
Posts: 8
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Don't give up on your Swivomatic bass drum pedal!
First of all, not all of these pedals were created equal.
I have been busy tearing apart a number of these pedals over the last months and I have found many variations in the parts and design. I'm using my 1965 model the known basic design as I've had it since then and I have only pulled it apart a number of weeks ago.
The original design called for two needle bearings to support the drive shaft. With lubrication these will last a good long time. These bearings are a full compliment bearing, meaning that there are as many needles in the case as they can fit. The bearing is .500" o.d. by .925" long and fits a .375"( 3/8 ) shaft. One bearing on each end. The shaft itself is a good grade of mild steel.
On my pedal there is very little wear. At the pedal end about .003" and about .0015". Impressive really. I played full time for 25 years and a good part of that was 6 nights a week.
The heel plate can be improved upon as the retaining screw like to seize in the bushings and then the knurled bushings turning in the casting soon become sloppy and
cease to work properly.
The aim of the original design was to provide a smooth pedal that offered the least of resistance( friction) which means fast action and lowest effort and that means greater endurance.
I think there were about four major different variations.
1. my 1965 - it has a twin slot foot board and a chrome plated steel bearing/axle housing.
2. CBS - The HiHat pedal design is adapted for the foot board. The bearing is changed!!#*#*. For the sake of $3.00 an inferior bearing is inserted in the place of the earlier model. The replacement is only 1/4" long and contains only 11 needles. The shaft looses a significant amount of support which concentrates all the stresses on smaller part of the shaft. Results - wear and shorter life.
The pedal just isn't the same
3. CBS again. Let's take the bearings out all together! Now we have an oilite bushing. They gave us an extra 1/8" in length but no rollers. We get more wear and shorter life. This change must have raised a fuss because........
4. CBS is back with bearings, not the good ones but the 1/4" J series. And this time I believe the material in the shaft was changed as I see serious wear not in the 1000th's of an in but in the 64th's of an inch. Nasty.
They did make a design change I like - the clamp on base. It's a good solid add on.
There were some changes in the heel plate ending up with nylon bushings.
THERE IS HOPE, in that unlike a number of parts some stuff is available. For example there are full compliment bearings available for all three size variations and I am having some chromoly steel shafts machined to fit each type that are fitted. I got ticked off and purchased the stuff I need to make my own straps. The first one turned out just like the old one - with out 40 years of abuse of coarse. It's also possible to put needle bearings in the pivot of the heel plate. It might be overkill but I want to give it a try.
Contact me if you would like any more info.
Knothead
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8/23/2008, 9:03 pm
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tommykat1
XP10 Dyna-Sonic Member
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Registered: 06-2007
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 3299
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Re: Don't give up on your Swivomatic bass drum pedal!
Knothead, this is a pretty serious evaluation of Swivo pedals. Good show, for sure! No wonder many of us hate them (post CBS) versus those who swear by them (the earlier years). It now appears that the only pedal to consider is the pre CBS version.
Also, many swear by the post Swivo Supreme pedals from the Memriloc era.
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8/24/2008, 12:18 am
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knothead1
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Registered: 06-2008
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Re: Don't give up on your Swivomatic bass drum pedal!
Hi,
In case I wasn't clear tommycat, it's possible to retrofit the models with the cheaper equiptment with the real meal deal.
The best bearings and a harder shaft that will resist wear and give smoother action.
If you have a basic understanding of " take it apart and put it back together " the parts can be replaced and put back together in short order or you can send them to me. I'm willing to undertake that work for a nominal fee. Why spend 3 or 4 hundred dollars on the latest gadget when these models will do the trick.
Knothead.
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8/24/2008, 12:10 pm
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rogerwdowns
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Registered: 02-2008
Location: Greenfield,OHIO
Posts: 854
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Re: Don't give up on your Swivomatic bass drum pedal!
Incredible! When I search for a pedal,I will cosider what I've just learned. Thanks! And if I need your help,I'll give you a holler!
Kinda resto-mod. Looks original,but w/updated internals.
Brilliant! 
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9/3/2008, 6:37 pm
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Rogersoholic
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Registered: 04-2007
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Re: Don't give up on your Swivomatic bass drum pedal!
tip for fun..... Earlier swivo pedals have a nob for the hoop conneting plate and not a T rod.
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9/9/2008, 6:21 pm
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