Doublereed Archive - Posting 000085.txt from 2002/12

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.com>
Subj: [Dblrd-L] Maybe off topic, but maybe of interest
Date: Thu, 19 Dec 2002 12:01:03 -0500

A few days ago the last pull-tab on the sliders of the zipper of my
bassoon case cover gave out. I took it to a shop that repairs zippers,
does backpacking gear and the like and had all three zipper sliders
replaced; the two that meet to close the case cover and the one for the
side pocket.

When my friend, who owns the business, was doing the repair, he told me
I could extend the life of the zippers and make them work easier by
lubricating them with paraffin wax. My first reaction was....this guys
weird, getting all excited while telling me about zippers.

Well, maybe not. When I got home, I found a block of paraffin and
liberally rubbed it on the full length of the wrap around case closing
zipper and the side pocket zipper. It looked white. I then used my
wife's hair dryer to melt the wax while running the zipper sliders back
and forth over the area where the wax was melted and clear.

The difference was dramatic. The zippers worked much easer, smoother
and quieter. This improvement was particularly noticeable where the
zippers have to go around the corners of the case. I do think that I
will be putting less stress on those pull tabs that tend to break off,
and in general, extending the useful life of the zippers.

I only mention this because I know many musicians have case covers,
zippered cases, gear cases, etc. that could probably benefit from this
treatment.

Richard Bush
Maker of BasSonic bassoon reeds
760 Robins Avenue
Ogden, UT 84404
(801) 393-7265
rbushidioglot@-----.com