Klarinet Archive - Posting 000730.txt from 2002/11

From: "R. Williams" <rwilliams@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] re: wear on a reed making file
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 23:59:18 -0500

Hi:
To answer your question, yes files can warp and can develop groves and
dull. But is it that or the cane warping? I don't make reeds, but I do a
lot of woodworking and anytime you remove material from stock you have the
chance of it warping if the material isn't completely stabilized. For
example, if I purchase rough stock, which is, stored outdoors, then I bring
it into the shop and let it stabilize for a year or two before dimensioning
it. Then I let it sit a while longer before using it in a project.

I repaired a cane chair for a friend and purchased some cane for the work.
I noticed that it would cup and bow as much or more than anything else I've
worked with when cut. Of Course you could just run a micrometer over the
file and see if it's damaged. BTW, if your looking for a cheap "flat"
reference, try what's called Float Glass. I use a piece with 2000+ grit
sandpaper to sharpen tools and to flatten water stones.
Best
RW

>From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
>Subject: wear on a reed making file
>Message-Id: <200211160017.gAG0Hd417666@-----.edu>
>
>A question for the machinists on the list - I use a file to flatten and
>seal the backs of blanks before cutting reeds. Will this file wear to the
>point of no longer being flat over time? I've recently noticed that the
>backs of the blanks aren't flat after soaking them and running them over
>the file (100 strokes). If I sand them with #600 wet/dry sandpaper on a
>plate of glass, they seem to flatten better. I do clean the file with a
>toothbrush to remove any cane particles that might get lodged in the file.
>

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