Klarinet Archive - Posting 001198.txt from 1998/03

From: RCLARINET <RCLARINET@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Re: Oiling the Keys
Date: Wed, 25 Mar 1998 19:56:18 -0500

In a message dated 3/25/98 4:14:12 PM, you wrote:

<<At 08:40 AM 3/25/98 -0600, you wrote:
>On Wed, 25 Mar 1998, Bill Hausmann wrote:
>> I usually use regular key oil for clarinet. It is just extremely light
>> machine oil. For somehing heavier, try Bach rotor oil. It comes in a very
>> nice pin oiler. I use it on my saxophones. I know a college saxophone
>> professor who uses 30-weight motor oil, but personally I think this is
>> excessive.
>
>I use the 30W motor oil also........because it was recommended to me by
>Bill Brannen. It has worked very well for me.
>
>Roger Garrett
>IWU
>
If it doesn't physically slow the action (and I guess you'd notice if it
did), then it should be OK. And it should be GREAT for quieting the
mechanism!

Heavy oils do quieten the mechnism down quite a bit. Especially on the pivot
mounted rods. The problem with virtually all petroleums is two fold:
They attract dirt and dust
and
The break down eventually and form a gummy residue with can really make the
mechanism sluggish and can also jam the mechanism.
The advantage with the clock and watch oils is that they are not petroleums,
will not break down and get gummy no matter how long they are there. And the
clock oil makes the pivot mounted keys just as quiet as the heavy motor oils.
(the clock oil is made from whales I think).
tom