The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bennett ★2017
Date: 2003-10-25 19:45
On my 2 year old R-13 Bb I get a squeaking-scraping noise where the leaf spring of the mid-staff G key slides on the wood. A drop of 3in1 oil gets rid of for a while but I wonder what sort of lubricant (or?) I should use as a long term cure.
Thanks
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-10-25 20:02
I would use a bit of paraffin wax, the same as used on snow skis.
It should be tenacious enough to last.
3-in-1 is mostly solvent (so it penetrates) and will evaporate rapidly.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-10-26 21:13
It doesn't matter which leaf spring it is the paraffin wax is a good idea, a small amouth of cork grease will work at a pinch or in an emergency. I would get a repairer to have a look at it, the whole instrument probably needs a good service which if done properly is well worth the money.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-10-27 10:09
Mid-staff "G" key? Leaf spring?
Just an ordinary grease or a thick oil is fine for flat springs. Synthetic is probably easier on the timber. Only a trace is needed. For grease, the key needs to be removed to apply it in the right location on a flat spring.
From my perspective, parafin wax is not tenacious enough to stay put between metal surfaces. Many flat springs press against metal. The same may well apply to polished timber, especially if an oil has been previously used.
Note that sometimes flat springs on side keys sometimes squeek where they rub against another side key.
If a tiny drop of thick oil does not correct squeek problems on a needle spring - for a long time - then either the spring cradle is faulty, the spring is rubbing against another part of the key, or the angle of action of the spring needs modifying.
Personally I would keep 3-in-1 well away from instruments (and other intricate mechanisms). In my experience, once the solvent has evaporated, the sticky mess that is left is not very useful for anything.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-10-27 13:32
Perhaps the squeak is coming from the mount end due to a loose screw
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