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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000081.txt from 2008/04
From: "David Crispin / Crispin's Creations" <crispinscreations@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [DR-L] Oil query
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:46:06 -0400
I wouldn't doubt anything John Symer has to say about oboes. Keep in mind,
though, that he and his clientele are very conscientious about oboe
maintenance. He and many of his clients, like yourself, will periodically
remove the keys from the oboe, clean off the old oil, and then replace it
with fresh oil. The oil used in this application will not need to flow as
easily as the very light Nye oil, nor will it need to last as long.
I would wager that the Nye oil would last longer, as it is guaranteed to
never evaporate, gum, or become stringy. I would imagine that, by virtue of
its very light weight, it might be a better choice for the oboist who is
going to just place a speck of oil at the places of contact between posts
and keys on the oboe, and then rely on capillary action to draw the oil up
between the key tube and rods.
However, next time I *disassemble* my oboe and replace the oil, something
tells me I'll be using the gear oil.
I'll call John sometime and find out more.
David Crispin
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Towle" <gtowle839@-----.net>
To: <doublereed@-----.org>
Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 11:11 AM
Subject: Re: [DR-L] Oil query
> Hi All,
>
> At the IDRS session in Muncie, a couple of years ago,
> Linda Strommen of Indiana U gave a superb two day (a
> couple of hours each day) session on oboe reeds. Part
> of the session included a video feed live from John
> Symer's workshop in New Jersey. He said the best oil
> bar none for oiling key rods in wind instruments was
> gear oil, yes, the kind you put in differentials &
> trannys of our horseless carriages. I asked him
> through the open mike at the session if you could
> also use automatic tranny fluid. He said you could but
> it wasn't as thick as gear oil & therefore wouldn't
> last quite as long. I have been using Dexron II ATF
> ever since I got back from Muncie. Works like a dream,
> plus it is a maroon color so it shows up very nicely.
> You can see exactly how much is going onto the rods.
> Great also for oiling gougers as well as their blades.
> A quart of this stuff will no doubt last a lifetime.
> Certainly more economical than the stuff sold in few
> ounce bottles at music shops. I keep a stash on my
> reed table in a Caltrate pill bottle. About once a
> year, I fill my General oil drop dispenser. I've been
> using ATF at the rate of 2 to 3 times a year on the
> oboe, or each time I clean pads/tone holes & on my Dan
> Ross gouger after each use, which is about once a
> week. My 2¢ FWIW
>
> By the way Ron Fox, a chemist & superb oboist from the
> San Diego area says the tranny fluid is fine. I even
> think he uses it.
>
> Any thoughts, Mike Benthin, David C. & Harold?
>
> http://www.generaltools.com/Products/Precision-Oiler__589.aspx
>
>
>
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