Occasionally, you will experience drum hardware malfunctions. Many times, especially with bass drum pedals and hi-hat stands, this is due to something being out of adjustment or simply misassembled. When it’s clear that something is just broken, sometimes you can easily ( and inexpensively) fix it yourself, thus saving money on maintenance costs.
Stripped threads on wing nuts, bolts, or other threaded surfaces can often be repaired by simply replacing the damaged part that you can probably find easily at your local hardware store (mom and pop places of course). In the case of stripped threads in larger objects (tom mounts, cymbal stands, tom holders, etc.), it can be a little harder to deal with.
Thread repair results vary with the method used. Helicoils and similar thread-replacement type devices have never worked for me personally. Re-tapping and using a bigger wing screw would be better, but without the right tools, it can be a real pain. I’m not aware of other inexpensive, effective repairs for threads. Not an expert in that field.
Look at the rest of the defective piece of hardware. Are there other problem areas on the same piece? Have you tried to repair this same problem before unsuccessfully? How long have you had it? Was it of good quality when new? Is it mostly held together with duct tape? Sometimes, a piece of hardware is just “totalled” and must be replaced. A good-quality, modern product from a reputable manufacturer is better than old, broken stuff. Please note that very expensive hardware doesn’t necessarily mean better hardware. Several manufacturers make solid, functional hardware that costs a fraction of the most expensive stuff.
As always, when in doubt, stop by The Drum Center. If you’re not sure what to do, we’ll do our best to help. -John