 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-04-15 02:20
Does anyone know where I can purchase some pieces of nickel-silver stock for making keys? I need to make a replacement alternate Ab/Eb lever for one of my clarinets since the original is missing. I'd rather make it out of nickel-silver to match the other keys rather than making it out of brass and trying to plate it to match.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2011-04-15 05:46
Years ago when I wanted to do something similar for a friend who suddenly found himself missing the top 2 joints of his left ring finger, I dipped into my friendly techs junk-box for some old keys that collectively had all the shapes I needed. I chose keys that were a bit heavier than I needed so that there was enough meat for aesthetic shaping. Then I set to with blowtorch, anvil, saw, file and silver solder and made what I needed from the carefully selected and cut bits of old key. I took great care to get the fit of the pieces right, carefully filed and ground the joins and angles, polished the completed key and there it was. Half as good as a new one and only twice the price. I then had the problem of mounting the key, but I used a couple of posts and a pivot screw from the same source, carefully drilled the plastic body and set them in place with Araldite. Trimmed the pivot screw to fit neatly, fitted a pad and it worked like a charm. Had to do a bit of careful forming (AKA bending), but nothing major. I also extended the Eb sliver key for him. Total working time a couple of hours, and he's still playing 40 years down the track.
Tony F.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2011-04-15 05:47
Jewelry supply stores usually have stuff like that. Maybe look for local ones or ask local jewelers, there's a good chance they would know.
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Author: Ian White
Date: 2011-04-15 08:11
Fox the bassoon makers will sell you a small quantity which is a better quality than other sources. Also they supply rod & tubing. www.foxproducts.com
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Author: jasperbay
Date: 2011-04-15 17:44
Several of the Muzzleloader Supplies online outfits will sell nickle silver in sheet form (used to make custom 'patchboxes'. I've bought 4" x 8" sheets up to 1/8" thick for about $20. Try 'Track of the Wolf', or Muzzleloader Builders Supply (Don Eads) in Kentucky. Track has a website, might have to call MBS, where I get mine.
Metal scrap yards call nickle silver "white brass".
Clark G. Sherwood
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