Klarinet Archive - Posting 000956.txt from 1998/10

From: LeliaLoban@-----.com
Subj: [kl] rubberized cork
Date: Wed, 21 Oct 1998 21:24:10 -0400

Thanks to recommendations either here or on the bb, I recently obtained the
catalogue from Ferree's Tools and embarked on my first overhaul attempt, on a
silver-plated H. Bettoney clarinet I picked up for $20 at a yard sale. As old
metal clarinets go, this one is decent quality, so I'd like to fix it up for
playing outdoors. The value is low enough to make me willing to learn on it.
Also have a few other instruments sitting around that aren't worth the price
of a professional restoration but might come in handy. Well, I'm a bit of a
tool freak (former proprietor of a stained glass restoration and design
studio) and LOVE the catalogue and the Erick Brand repair manual. Ferree's
fills orders promptly, too. So far, so good on the clarinet overhaul. I'm
having fun with it. (Famous last words, probably. Just stay tuned for when I
start whining about how ooooops, I've messed up, and need help desperately,
and waaaaah....)

But ... my husband, who put himself through college as an auto repairman,
suggested I try cork from an auto parts store. When I checked out this stuff,
I decided not to buy it, because it came in a package with all sorts of other
gasket-making material we didn't need or want, and because it wasn't "real"
cork. It was rubberized cork in 1/16" thickness. It looked as though the
manufacturer ground up cork and rubber, then formed them into a sheet. I
couldn't tell if it's just pressure-formed or if there's an adhesive binder.
(Anybody know?) My husband says this material is very flexible, stronger than
unadulterated cork, and can be cut neatly and precisely. It looks different
than unadulterated cork (it's tan with black speckles from the rubber) but
seems to me as though it might have advantages, such as fewer flaws and less
of a tendency to crack. Contact cement would work fine as an adhesive.
(Rubberized cork is not adhesive-backed like a lot of the craft shop cork.
Auto shop cork is for making gaskets.) 1/6" is a useful thickness for me; and
my husband thinks this type of cork is still available in other thicknesses,
in packages containing nothing but the rubberized cork. (Places like Trak
Auto don't carry it. You have to find old-fashioned bubba-with-a-truck
places.) I bought regular cork from Ferree's, and used that for the clarinet,
but I'm wondering: Has anyone ever tried rubberized cork on a clarinet?

Lelia
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"Are you experienced?"
-Jimi Hendrix
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