 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: John Gibson
Date: 2002-10-30 21:59
Just saw Gordon's thread on swelling and shrinking tenon joints....
I have a MPC or 2...and a barrel or two that don't want to fit snugly.....they wobble. I've been usiong teflon tape on the tenon to tighten things up. I remove it when done playing because I'm not sure it's good for the cork. Will teflon tape damage the cork? Dry it out? Etc.....as always thanks in advance ....
John
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-10-30 22:28
John, I can't resist enquiring: if the cork doesn't work, why worry about it? And have you tried the old heating trick? (Small flame *very* gingerly applied will swell the cork -- but be careful not to scorch it.)
Regards,
John
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-10-30 23:17
The teflon tape will occupy space in the joint and therefore cause further compression of the cork, so that the joint is even looser without the tape. Then you may need more tape. No big deal! I have seen tape used over cork that has been successful for many years. If it works, leve it alone.
Somday slippery teflon molecules will be incorporated in a totally elastic, 'squishy' material such as silicon rubber,and all problems will be solved.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2002-10-31 12:36
I have also used teflon tape with success. I have just left it in and applied more as needed if it compresses until I have been able to replace the cork.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-10-31 13:53
I have tried to use teflon(plumber's) tape but couldn't get it to keep from "bunching up". Perhaps my joints were not loose enough.
Teflon is, I believe, rather inert. Black plastic electrician's tape can even suffice until you replace the cork.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-10-31 22:46
You possibly put the teflon tape on too thick, or didn't clean the cork grease off first. On the other hand, there are different breeds/thicknesses - Qualities? - of teflon tape.
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Author: katie
Date: 2002-11-03 00:23
i personally wouldn't use teflon tape on a cork, cause my band teacher says sometimes it can get stuch and trapped under the cork and literally tear the cork half-way off! i wouldn't if i were you!! thx, Katie-Georgia
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Author: Forest Aten
Date: 2002-11-03 19:12
John,
Gordon's observations are spot on. If you use the tape you will continue to compress the cork. If the existing cork isn't doing the job....what matter does it make. I have several clarinets with teflon tape doing the work holding parts together (for years now).
As the cork continues to compress, I add more tape.
Forest
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-11-04 02:51
Katie, that sounds mighty far-fetched. I have seen a fair bit of Teflon tape used, and have never seen or heard of this happening.
Perhaps your band teacher had a bad dream, or perhaps he gets commission from the local technician when work is referred, or just likes to sound authoritative.
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Author: Peter
Date: 2003-02-03 20:31
Katie,
Plumber's teflon tape has no glue and leaves absolutely no residue behind.
I first thought of using teflon tape on my corks several years ago after I took a cold water pipe apart at home that had teflon tape on the threads. To my total surprise, even though it had been there for a few years, the teflon tape had neither decomposed nor stuck to the pipe threads at all, and it came off, raggedy from the sharp threads, but all in one piece, as if it had jut come off the roll wrinkly and raggedy.
Electrician's tape is a very bad idea. It does decompose with temperature changes and it leaves a lot of nasty residue behind after it's been there a while. It can be cleaned off, but only use it for a dire emergency and take it off as soon as reasonably possible.
It's better to keep a couple of rolls ot teflon tape in your kit bag (There's always someone else in any group who could use some.)
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