 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2002-11-30 17:41
In his book "Clarinet, Saxophone & Flute Repair Manual," Lawrence Frank, who is a woodwind repair person in Philadelphia, says that he prefers to use a glue gun with clear glue sticks.
Gary
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-11-30 17:53
Each repair technician has their preference. I use either flake shellac or George's glue. Each of these require a heat source. The shellac tends to be a bit more brittle and I would not recommend for cold weather climates but here in the southern US it works well and is fairly inexpensive. I know others who use French cement and hot melt glues of various varieties.
jbutler
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2002-11-30 18:05
Hi Mark, I've heard from several sources (inccluding Ferree's head technician) that shellac does not hold well in cold temps and that pads have a tendency to "pop out".
I agree with Gary in the use of hot glue sticks. I've tried all kinds from various sources but wasn't totally satisfied. Votaw tool Co sent me a sample of "SURDUZSTIK" and, IMO, it's absolutely fantastic! And incredibly inexpensive! I just received my order of 24ea 5/16" sticks for around $2.50. I've been told by John at Votaw, that in 12 years of selling it they have never had any complaints. Even though it has a relatively low melt temp, it appears to have a very strong holding capability. I've stopped using everything else. For more info, I suggest talking to John at Votaw tools at 1-800-894-8665.
If anyone knows of anything better, please let me know. Thanks.
Dan Shusta
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Wes
Date: 2002-11-30 18:32
The factories seem to be using some kind of hot glue. As far as I can tell, Selmer does not put enough in the pad cups. While too much cement can be messy, not enough can result in sax pads flopping around when they should be stable. I still like stick shellac. It probably is what you get used to and the time needed to melt the cement in the cup.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2002-11-30 22:52
Thanks for your responses. One thing I forgot to tell you is, while the shellac is still soft. I rotate the pad in the cup at least 1 revolution to insure the shellac is evenly distributed. This prevents the "drop out" that some experience.
Mark
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-11-30 23:50
Mark,
Using the liquid (Micro product) and flake shellac is quite different. I grind the flake shellac to the consistency of a fine powder with an old electric Krups coffee grinder. I then take my pad slick and deposit a proper amount into the pad cup and heat over a flame (acetylene). Once it starts to liquify I put in the pad and immediatley set the key cup on a wetted cloth to cool the glue a bit. I bit of positioning is necessary after installing the key on the clarinet. This is done by apply a small amount of heat. I use a resistance type heater for that rather than a flame. It does well and goes quickly especially on student and rental instruments.
I use (almost) exclusivly the George's glue now. I find it has a more "working" time and will not loosen from the pad at all. I've tried all types of pad cement: liquid, shellac, Sur-duz-stik, other hot melt and French cement. I find the George's to be far superior all around. It can be obtained in a pellet form which is great for clarinet work.
jbutler
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-11-30 23:55
Micro cement has always worked well for me. It can be used without heat for an emergency quickie repair, but it seems to be much better if heated while hardening. This is just a comment, not intended to claim that this stuff is better than anything else, as I do not have broad experience with other pad adhesives. However, this thread makes the appropriate hot glue look really good..
Some people must still use a lot of the Micro, as the Ferree catalog still lists it in something like quart-sized containers as well as the small tubes.
Regards,
John
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark P. Jasuta
Date: 2002-12-01 01:27
I do not use a flame, instead I use a heat gun. It's cleaner and I can vary the heat. Follow the link below to see it.
http://www.masterappliance.com/master1.html
Mark
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-12-01 09:01
Some mention of shellac releasing pads. If the shellac releases from the key cup I suggest that the reason for this is that either the glue was not heated enough or the key cup was not heated enough for good adhesion.
However release between the shellac (any colour) and the pad is affected by the finish on the back of the pad. I recently upgraded to a different model of pad and consequently had some falling-out problems, on account of the pad surface. So I'm reluctantly changing glue, only for clarinet pads.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-12-01 14:17
TKS, JMcA, I also prefer Micro Pad and Cork cement. It gives me adequate time for its distribution and pad seating after assembly, and being [later] heat softenable and alcohol soluble are advantages for a do-it-yourselfer. Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bryan
Date: 2002-12-02 02:57
What about heat source preferences? Anyone care to comment on using torches vs. heat guns?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
