Klarinet Archive - Posting 000304.txt from 1999/09

From: "O'Neile & Fisher" <redcedar@-----.au>
Subj: Re: [kl] Clarinet Disassembly
Date: Sat, 11 Sep 1999 18:25:05 -0400

In response to a question about methods of assembling the clarinet, Bill
Hausmann wrote:
>I have seen several methods taught, but (natually) still prefer the way I
>was first shown: build up from the bottom, holding each joint with your
>fingers holding down the ring keys (careful with the bridge) so the strain
>in not placed on the other vulnerable keys. I usually place the bell on my
>knee or chair between my legs for support while putting on the barrel. I
>have seen where kids are taught to hold the two main joints quite far away
>from the middle tenon while assembling, but the potential for great stress
>on that tenon joint scares me!

Bill,

Thanks for your response. I have a comment, and two further questions, to
which I'd appreciate your response, or that of anyone else who could offer
advice.

My RC has been stiff to disassemble since new, despite copious coatings of
cork grease. Indeed when new I was unable to disassemble the instrument,
and left it intact for almost a month last Christmas until the warranty
repairman had returned from vacation. The process of disassembly was then
achieved by the two of us forcibly contra-rotating and pulling on the lower
joint and the bell, and using rubber rings cut from a bicycle inner-tube
wrapped around the lower and upper joints to give purchase to a similar
action on these, rather as you would disengage an oil filter from some
engine blocks. The extreme heat and humidity were blamed for the stickiness
of the instrument's joints, but before the summer was out, I had to enlist
the repairman's help twice more, despite the fact that on each occasion the
tenons had been shaved. However, I am wary of having too much shaved off.
During the recent winter months, there has been less of a problem, but I
anticipate the onset of warmer weather will see a recurrence of the problem.

I am considering screwing two thumb-plates to the underside of the clarinet
body, installed perpendicularly to the line of the existing thumb-rest, each
one set about an inch either side of the middle joint. This should not
interfere with hand movements during playing. I expect this device will
give my thumb a greater ability during disassembly, to exert the pressure
necessary to rotate the lower and upper joints without damaging the keys. A
concern is that such thumb pressure may in time, cause the screws in the two
thumb plates to tear the timber. Any comment, or advice?

A second question was foreshadowed by Lelia Loban in a separate post today.
It concerns the temper of the metal keys which have already been slightly
bent in the past, and heated and reset by the technician on each occasion.
To what extent does successive heating and bending of the keywork, interfere
with the temper of the metal and cause it to soften so as to cause the
keywork to be more susceptible to bending under pressure?

Thanks, in anticipation.

Michael

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org