Doublereed Archive - Posting 000083.txt from 2008/04

From: herb fawcett <herbgosia@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [DR-L] Oil query
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 14:43:01 -0400

Many years ago I heard Verne Q Powell advise silicone clock oil for his
flutes. I have some and have used it for years on the bassoon. It never gum=
s
and it stays clean. However, I have heard that overabundant use of it will
allow it to penetrate into the wood with detrimental effect. The old Heckel
was bought in 1951 and I have yet to see any problems from the Dow silicone=
.
Automotive oil would probably be better at noise reduction because of its
viscosity, and the movements of keys are so small that it wouldn't be a
hindrance. I have also had good luck with the oil used in dental turbine
hand-pieces, although it is mighty thin.
Herb

On 4/15/08 11:46 AM, "David Crispin / Crispin's Creations"
<crispinscreations@-----.net> wrote:

> 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.
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> 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 u=
p
> between the key tube and rods.
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> However, next time I *disassemble* my oboe and replace the oil, something
> tells me I'll be using the gear oil.
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> I'll call John sometime and find out more.
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> David Crispin
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> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Towle" <gtowle839@-----.net>
> To: <doublereed@-----.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 15, 2008 11:11 AM
> Subject: Re: [DR-L] Oil query
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>> Hi All,
>>=20
>> 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=A2 FWIW
>>=20
>> 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.
>>=20
>> Any thoughts, Mike Benthin, David C. & Harold?
>>=20
>> http://www.generaltools.com/Products/Precision-Oiler__589.aspx
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