Klarinet Archive - Posting 000493.txt from 2001/10

From: Stan Geidel <sgeidel@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] flattening backs of reeds
Date: Mon, 15 Oct 2001 13:54:11 -0400

The file I use is a 10 inch, flat bastard file with a double cut. "Double
cut" indicates a "cross-hatch" pattern on the file, as opposed to a single
cut, which consists of parallel cuts all in one (diagonal) direction only.
A *flat* bastard file is apparently not the same as a *mill* bastard file.
I believe these are two different files, although I do not know what the
term "mill" indicates.

Perhaps someone can correct me if any of my statements are mistaken. I know
little about woodworking tools. But again, the 10 inch, double cut, flat
bastard file works beautifully for me. Less than $10 at any hardware store.

Stan Geidel

----- Original Message -----
From: "George Kidder" <gkidder@-----.org>
Subject: Re: [kl] flattening backs of reeds

> Stan, could you tell us what grade of file that is. I don't remember the
> system, but there are "coursenesses" for files as well as for
> sandpaper. Can you get something as fine as #600 WOD paper?
>
> Humorous sidelight - Eudora Pro has a "feature" called "MoodWatch" which I
> have not disabled (yet.) It is supposed to identify offensive language
and
> warn you with 1 to 3 hot peppers. Your post got 3 peppers - probably
> because you called the file by its right name! (Although actually I think
> I remember that the file is a "mill bastard" file - maybe that would get
> even more peppers!)
>
>
> At 09:01 AM 10/15/01 -0500, you wrote:
> >The Vandoren reed resurfacer and its generic equivalent (glass and #600
grit
> >wet-dry sandpaper) surely work well for many folks. I've tried them
both,
> >but I prefer the results I get when I flatten my reeds on a file. I
carry a
> >10-inch flat bastard file (double cut) in my case, and for some reason,
the
> >results obtained from flattening reeds on the file seem superior to those
> >obtained from glass and sandpaper.
> >
> >As to the reason for this, I can only offer some guesses...
> >- first, sandpaper wears, and of course, wears inconsistently. The file
> >does not wear.
> >- the grit of the sandpaper can quickly become clogged with material from
> >the reed, and the file does not. Surely this causes some sections of the
> >paper to perform differently than other areas.
> >- the file is flat. With the glass and sandpaper, surely the glass is
flat,
> >but is it still flat with the sandpaper on it? Perhaps... in fact, it
> >probably is. But does the sandpaper have any creases in it, or anything
> >else that would adversely affect true flatness? Is the grit of the
> >sandpaper a consistent surface? I imagine it *might* be... but the file
> >*is* flat.
> >
> >The above guesses aside, if you don't always like the results you get
from
> >glass and sandpaper, try a flat bastard file. A few dollars at a
hardware
> >store, and you are set for life. No hard evidence here, friends, but
years
> >of experience tells me this does seem to work better.
> >
> >Stan Geidel
> >___________________
> >Dr. Stanley Geidel
> >Editor and Publisher
> >THE ONLINE CLARINET RESOURCE
> >www.ocr.sneezy.org
> >
> >
> >---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> George Kidder
> Senior Scientist and Instrumentation Officer
> Mt. Desert Island Biological Laboratory
> Salisbury Cove, ME
>
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>

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