Klarinet Archive - Posting 000574.txt from 2002/07

From: William Edinger <wde2@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] frozen post screws - try a sonicator too
Date: Sun, 21 Jul 2002 15:26:19 -0400

These aren't post screws, but it's the same thing: on my old (1907)
Albert Bb there are four "roller" keys, just like those found on the
modern saxophone, held in place on the key's touch piece by a typical
threaded pivot, but they were all frozen and wouldn't roll at all when I
got it. Aside from an acetone soak (not good for the roller material,
whatever it is, but no permanent damage), WD40, 3-in-1 oil, and endless
careful finger-rolling (and they're still sore), I also suspended the
roller end of the key in a sonicator for an hour or so. I still don't
know if that did any good or if it was the WD40, but I'm going to try it
again with the still-stuck keys. The advantage is that there's no
chemical damage, and it is very good at cleaning things up, and I
suspect that by itself might be helpful. I may also try other solvents,
though not knowing what the rollers were made of, I'm a little nervous
about that. Anybody have any idea what those things were made of? It
looks a lot like Bakelite, but I don't think that was invented yet in 1907.

Bill Edinger

By the way - Steve Fox and Walter Grabner are responsible for the
wonderful restoration of this instrument - it really plays beautifully
now, even though I can't play it with anyone else, since it's HP and at
about A@-----.)
One problem is with finger-crowding, though: my (rather wide) right
ring finger keeps hitting the "sliver" key, which is extra-wide on the
Albert/Oehler system, not without good reason. I'm thinking of putting
a stronger spring on that key.

--
Music and wine are one.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

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