DW SMTA905 L-Arm, 1/2 in to 9.5 mm, 2-Pack
The SMTA905 is a dual-diameter L-arm: 1/2 in on the clamp side, 9.5 mm on the accessory side. That size decides everything — a mount drilled for 9.5 mm refuses a thicker rod, and a 9.5 mm rod floats in a mount designed wider. The pack contains two arms and two 1/2 in memory locks.
What sets it apart
- 9.5 mm thin section, the narrowest in the family
- 1/2 in thick section for going into the clamp
- Knurled rod
- Two 1/2 in memory locks included
- Sold in pairs
- Matches mounts drilled for a thin rod
A millimetre that does not forgive
Between 9.5 mm and 10.5 mm, the difference is invisible to the naked eye and absolute in use. The rod that is too thick does not go in; the rod that is too thin goes in, turns, and lets the accessory swivel with every hit.
The second case is the more treacherous, because it seems to work at setup. The fault only shows up while playing, when the accessory slowly starts to move and you look for the cause elsewhere.
Where you find 9.5 mm
This size turns up on compact accessory mounts and on small mountable percussion, where a thicker rod would have called for a heavier part than what it carries.
It is a matter of proportion: a cowbell mount does not need the diameter of a tom arm, and making it heavier would add nothing. Manufacturers have therefore kept thin sizes on this kind of gear, and you need the matching arm to connect to it.
Measure before you buy, and how
The right method is to measure the hole in the mount, not the rod you had before — that may be the wrong one to begin with. A caliper gives you the answer in a few seconds.
Failing that, a trial tells you a lot: a rod of the right size goes in cleanly, without forcing and with no noticeable play when you move it sideways. Any other feel points to the wrong diameter.
Specifications
| Small diameter | 9.5 mm |
|---|---|
| Large diameter | 1/2 in |
| Surface treatment | Knurling |
| Memory locks supplied | Two, 1/2 in |
| Quantity | Two arms per pack |
What it is for
- Mounting an accessory drilled for 9.5 mm
- Replacing a thin rod that was lost or bent
- Fitting out two small percussion pieces at once
- Connecting compact gear to a standard clamp
- Fixing a setup where the accessory turned on its rod
Compare with other manufacturers
Reduced-diameter arms from other manufacturers do not all use the same sizes:
| Brand | Closest product | What is not the same |
|---|---|---|
| Gibraltar | Thin accessory rods | Different sizes depending on the line |
| Pearl | Small percussion arms | Holes matched to the brand's own hardware |
| Tama | Compact accessory rods | Memory locks often sold separately |
Frequently asked questions
- How do I tell 9.5 mm from 10.5 mm?
- Only by measuring. The difference is too small to see, yet it is enough to make a setup impossible or unstable.
- Does the pack include the memory locks?
- Yes, two 1/2 in memory locks, sized for the end that goes into the clamp.
- Can I file down a rod that is too thick?
- Best avoided: you remove the knurling and create an out-of-round rod. The arm in the right size costs less than an accessory that no longer holds.
- Will this rod work for a tom?
- No. The thin section is made for light accessories; a drum needs an arm sized for its load.
Avis clients
An accessory that spins on its rod mid-song?
Aucun avis pour le moment. Soyez le premier à partager votre expérience après votre achat.