Klarinet Archive - Posting 000184.txt from 2001/12

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: RE: [kl] Key oil and bore oil usage; was how often?
Date: Sat, 8 Dec 2001 14:33:43 -0500

Echoing Karl Krelove (hi Karl):

A yearly "oil change" for your key oil is a good idea. Grit from the air, or your fingers, gets in the oil and will eventually become a very effective "grinding" medium, wearing out your key mechanism. If it is black and gritty, get it out of there!

Dissassembling, cleaning, and reassembling my clarinet is something I have done since high school. All you have to do is get all the stuff back exactly where it came from. Most important - don't interchange the little hinge rod, pins, they are in many cases NOT interchangeable. Some vendors sell "assembly" boards, which have slots and holes for each individual hinge rod and pin. You can make one for yourself in about 15 minutes with a board and a hand drill.

I do NOT oil the bores in my clarinets.

However, in the case of instruments which have been mistreated or stored for many years in un-favorable conditions, I can see the value of an "oil-bath".

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com

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