Klarinet Archive - Posting 000168.txt from 2001/12

From: "Karl Krelove" <kkrelove@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Key oil and bore oil usage; was how often?
Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2001 09:46:15 -0500

This brings up a side of this discussion I hadn't thought to mention
explicitly. I do bring my instruments to a repairman every so often and have
him do anything he thinks is needed to keep them in top condition. Most of
the time a specific problem brings me in, but while it's there, he does
anything else that's necessary. I'm sure he does oil the keywork. He also
checks for pads with small leaks, irregularities that have developed in tone
holes (again causing small leaks), etc... I think this kind of periodic
attention to the instrument is invaluable, and I can't imagine playing
seriously without it. Of course, I pay an hourly labor rate for this work,
and I guess doing it myself would save me a few dollars, but the repairman
every so often finds and corrects problems I'd never have been equipped to
look for.

I guess in the back of my mind, I was thinking of the advice we were giving
as an answer to the original questioner, who I think was a student (I've
since deleted the posts). I'd rather see him/her making a trip to a repair
tech once a year than trying to disassemble the entire instrument trying to
oil everything and maybe having to make the trip to the repairman with
everything in a plastic bag.

You're right. A dry screw _might_ lead to premature wear of the key rod or
the screw, but in a skilled tech's hands swedging is not on the same scale
of calamity as replacing an engine. But you're right. There is a
consequence, and a little drop of oil in the right place when needed can
stave off the need for more work later.

Karl

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bill Hausmann [mailto:bhausmann1@-----.net]
> Sent: Saturday, December 08, 2001 7:09 AM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: RE: [kl] Key oil and bore oil usage; was how often?
>
>
> At 10:26 PM 12/7/2001 -0500, Karl Krelove wrote:
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: CmdrHerel@-----.com]
> > >
> > > 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?
> > >
> >Well, because the engine will seize and self-destruct. I don't think the
> >consequence of a dry screw is so severe.
>
> If the screw is dry, the unlubricated friction of key use will cause
> premature wear on the pivot screw or rod and the key will eventually
> necessitate key swedging. As you correctly point out later in your post,
> the oil also quiets the mechanism. Your repair tech likely oils the keys
> when he works on your instruments.
>
>
> Bill Hausmann bhausmann1@-----.net
> 451 Old Orchard Drive
> Essexville, MI 48732 ICQ UIN 4862265
>
> If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!
>
>
>
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>
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