Klarinet Archive - Posting 000485.txt from 2004/10

From: "Clark W Fobes" <claroneman@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Tenon socket repair and ring removal
Date: Sun, 17 Oct 2004 14:11:54 -0400

David,

This IS a dilemma. Contrary to someone else's posting, replacing the
tenon socket is not a good idea. In fact the idea seems impossible given the
lack of material in that area. Pinning is not an option in that area as you
have noticed. Making a ring of carbon fiber would perhaps help stabilize the
crack, but I have not found a glue that penetrates the fiber sufficiently to
make a really solid ring and finishing it out can be messy. (Although I
welcome any suggestions or thoughts on this technique)

It is very possible that super glue has gotten underneath the ring and
this may cause some difficulty in getting the ring off.

I will describe my technique, but I would think long and hard about
doing this if I were you. I am not taking any responsibility for a ruined
horn!

This technique works for barrels too.

You will need a bench knife (ala Feree's) and a rawhide mallet. Place
the barrel or joint on the bench with
a towel or something soft under it to prevent it from "jumping". Actually,
for barrels I place them on a mandrel that is clamped into a vise. Place the
blade between the ring and the wood and give the blade a slight rap with the
hammer. This should start the ring moving away from the wood. Proceed around
the barrel or joint until there is a small space all the way around. Now
this gets tricky. I turn the blade around so that the sharp side is pointing
towards me and I slowly work around the barrel wedging the knife between the
ridge of wood and the ring. You must be very careful so as not to gouge or
scrape the wood. You should be able to achieve about 1mm of clearance.

The next step requires a special mandrel which is easy enough to make
on a lathe.

I have made a mandrel that matches the inside dimensions of the barrel
socket(s). I place this mandrel vertically in the vise and set the barrel on
top of this. Then with the blade against the ring I tap it with the hammer.
Work around the ring until it comes off.

With the lower joint you can make a mandrel and place it laterally in
the vise. Place the socket on the mandrel and brace the opposite end with
your chest (assuming you are sitting). Now use the same technique of tapping
the blade with the hammer and slowly forcing the ring away from the
clarinet.

If a ring is loose and has come off I find the best method for
tightening it is to make a thin coat of superglue on the exposed wood of the
ring cut. Let it dry. Replace the ring with a couple of good taps with the
rawhide mallet.

BE CAREFUL!

Clark

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