Abstract: A method of making a drum shell or other such circumferential component from a single piece of wood which serves as a starting blank. This method comprises the steps of steam heating the blank a first time to a predetermined temperature and, thereafter, while the steam heated blank is still at approximately that temperature, forming it into a circumferential shape approximating the ultimate shape of the drum shell or other such component such that its opposite ends remain unconnected with one another. The blank is then allowed to cool, whereby to provide a circumferentially shaped blank having unconnected opposite ends. This circumferentially shaped blank is placed into a mold which more accurately defines the ultimate shape of the drum shell or other such component so that the opposite ends of the blank engage one another. It is again steam heated to a predetermined temperature while remaining in the mold and is thereafter dried and its opposite ends are glued together.