Klarinet Archive - Posting 000355.txt from 2004/12

From: "Moshe Berlin" <moshe_berlin@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Fw: Polishing Clarinet Parts
Date: Sun, 26 Dec 2004 07:27:58 -0500

Who can help?

Moshe Berlin

----- Original Message -----
From: "Rommel John Miller" <rjmiller@-----.NET>
To: <JEWISH-MUSIC@-----.ORG>
Sent: Sunday, December 26, 2004 7:07 AM
Subject: Polishing Clarinet Parts

> Brothers and Sisters in the Jewish World of Music,
>
> Shalom!
>
> I have recently undertaken a minor study of clarinet repair, and I got all
> the info and equipment I've managed to glean thusfar from Curt Altarac of
> www.MusicMedic.com
>
> I am now to a point where I have removed all of the pads from my 22 year
old
> Vito Lyre Student Bb Clarinet. It was easy and fun to do. An I was
> impressed with how easily I have learned to disassemble and re-assemble my
> clarinet, it is less intimidating than I had first imagined.
>
> But upon disassembly, I did notice that many of the keys need a good
> buffing-up to make the nickel-silver all shiny and bright again.
>
> I have tried using a large (8" Sears model (hi-RPM) buffer but the darn
> thing's speed just intimidtes me with such small and delicate pieces such
as
> the keys on a clarinet.
>
> Next I tried the buffing wheels (felt and cotton) which come with a Dremel
> Moto-tool. I am also using a rouge buffing paste, and I found a medium to
> low/high RPM does a good job, it is just that the wheels are so tiny and
the
> felt wears down too fast.
>
> And I don't know if you clarinetists have ever taken the flat-springs from
> off the keys an polished them, but the little nub at the pointy end can
> really tear-up a felt wheel!
>
> I was wondering if any had any ideas on how to clean, polish and buff the
> keys, that is if there is a better or easier way. I am always looking for
> suggestions and pointers to help me with my little hobbies, and it seems
> that if I can re-pad and clean, that is do a good job on over-hauling my
old
> student Clarinet I might just try to find some more books on the subject
and
> turn this hobby into a cottage industry.
>
> But all I am asking for now is if anyone has any pointers for
> polishing/buffing the keys, to get them all shiny and bright again. I'd
> appreciate any advice or suggestions -- such as if there are better
buffing
> wheels for a Dremel than those Dremel markets, and/or if there is just a
> better Buffer to use, such as a low to medium RPM with a 6" rather than an
> 8" wheel.
>
> I hope some of you might be able to help me out with this questions.
>
> a dank,
>
> Rafi Miller
> Baltimore, MD
>
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>

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