Klarinet Archive - Posting 000823.txt from 2003/03

From: Oliver Seely <oseely@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Stuck bell, again!
Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2003 13:03:12 -0500

Hi Ian,

I certainly wouldn't heat anything until I've dripped some lubricant in the
joint. (STP? WD40?) Anyway, something. Use a wick or something and let
it soak in a couple of days or maybe a week, then try twisting it again.

Oliver

At 05:59 PM 3/21/03 +0200, you wrote:
>Hi Guys
>
>Seems things went off the rails a bit. Here's some more info and my idea.
>
>The bell is not glued. The owner simply didn't play the clarinet for over
>twenty years and left the bell on the bottom joint all that time. It's most
>likely that the wood has swollen and is tight against the bell. Certainly
>all the other joints will have to be shaved as well as recorked as they are
>all sticking wood against wood from swelling. They were stored here in
>Durban which is known for its humid summers.
>
>I'm thinking of heating the ring carefully with a soldering iron in the hope
>that the bell will expand enough to release some tightness. I emphasise
>'carefully'! If I leave the bell as it is playing the clarinet after so many
>years could cause it to crack as the bottom joint will heat up before the
>bell..
>
>Incidentally, anyone know where I can research the serial numbers? They are
>early, 65***.
>
>Thanks for the input.
>
>Ian H.
>
>
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