Klarinet Archive - Posting 000126.txt from 2001/12

From: CmdrHerel@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Key oil and bore oil usage; was how often?
Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 11:00:36 -0500

In a message dated 12/7/01 9:46:25 AM Eastern Standard Time,
pattiesmith@-----.net writes:

<< As to key oil, it is used primarily when a key is a bit sluggish, so it is
on an as-needed basis. One should use only the tiniest droplet at the place
where the rod is screwed in >>

I recommend a different approach. At least once a year for an instrument
that gets high use, I replace the old key oil with fresh. Think of your car
maintenance - Do you wait until your car runs out of oil to add more, or do
you change the oil regularly? Why?

For the brave, this means unscrewing your whole horn and wiping off the old
black oil with a rag from the rods and shafts and re-oiling them with clean
oil and putting it all back together.

For the un-brave, oiling the joints as Patricia describes every few months is
preferable to not. But again, oil the whole horn, not just a key here or
there. (Back to the car - even if you're not going to change the oil, don't
wait until it runs out before you add more).

And of course be careful and clean up any excess oil as Patricia suggests.

Teri Herel

---------------------------------------------------------------------