 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bkmorton
Date: 2005-05-10 14:54
I am interested in trying to make reeds by hand. One of the tools that is required is a Swiss needle File, Rat tail # 2 cut. I looked this up under varius home improvement stores and it does not show anything by that name. I have a mill bastard file 8" inches long but I do not think it is the same thing.
Is there some other name for the file that he is asking for?
I also looked up Rat tail and it didn't come up with anything either. Is this just describing a thin handle?
Any help would be great. I can't wait to lear how to make reeds. Even if I do not think it is worth doing, I will at least learn how to fix the box reeds that are out now.
A picture would be great also if anyone has one. That way I can bring it to the store so I will know what it would kind of look like.
Post Edited (2005-05-10 14:56)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-05-10 15:35
It's just a thin file with a round (rather than rectangular) cross-section, looks like a tapered needle, with very fine grooves. Such files are available in any hardware store (probably under the name "needle file"). The exact specifications are not important. You can get a set of jeweler's files that include needle files as well as some handy rectangular and tapered small flat and semi-rounded files.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2005-05-10 17:06
You can get a set of needle files in a variety of shapes pretty cheap from Sears:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00906757000
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-05-11 15:31
Jewelry/labidary suppliers (your local yellow pages) have all kinds of neat tools, B.K., including rat tail files of varied coarsness(es) 
- ron b -
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Author: bkmorton
Date: 2005-05-11 15:52
Thanks for your help. I was able to pick up the swiss needle and Sears does have a great price. I picked up a millimeter gauge at a ramdom Jewelry shop online and it cost 30.00 $ AND it looks just like the things that are sold at the music store for 200.00.
Thanks for the recomendation. Hopefully I can make some good reeds.
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Author: woodwind650
Date: 2005-05-13 16:17
would love to hear your progress on making reeds completely by hand. I make reeds using the Reedual.
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2005-05-14 02:51
I made my own reeds during college, grad school, and part of my professional career. (I finally got so busy I didn't have time to make reeds any longer).
I found that for my own technique, the needle flie was useless. I founf that it tended to "dig holes" in the surface of the reed rather than work evenly.
I learned reed maing from John Mohler at University of Michigan, and I never saw him using a needle file.
Nothing against Mr. Opperman or his book. I used and consulted that book more times than I could count!
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
music for clarinet
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-05-16 16:25
I know Kal Opperman, have watched him make many reeds, and have taken reedmaking lessons from him. None of this every involved a needle file. The only time I've seen him use one is to dip into a bottle of key oil to lift a single drop of oil.
I got a set of Exacto miniature files and, like Walter, have not found them useful.
However, in Ben Armato's book "Perfect A Reed ... and Beyond," he advocates using the sharp tip of a needle file to weaken heavy dark fibers, which he says interfere with vibration. I've tried it a few times, but haven't noticed much difference. Does anyone do this?
Ken Shaw
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Author: woodwind650
Date: 2005-05-16 16:27
The Opperman book has some interesting suggestions that i've tried, but for the most part i use a grab-bag of information and finally came up with my own "recipe" that works for me. like Mr. Grabner, i've never used that file before, nor do the folks i know that make reeds around here too. since i use a Reedual, the finished vamp comes out extremely smooth using 220grit sandpaper.
just made a batch of 4 bass clarinet reeds and they came out amazing!!!! i still have 12 blanks out of the batch that are ready to go whenever i need more so i'm pretty happy about that. maybe i should try to market them as these reeds can also be frustrating for folks who buy them. who knows....
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Author: bkmorton
Date: 2005-05-17 11:29
Thanks for the imput. Unfortunately, I already wasted the money on the swiss file but it was pretty cheap. I will keep it as a "just in case" measure.
I now have a question about the Flat Bastard File.
1. How do you get all the fibers out of the groves? I have used a Tooth Brush but it took a while to clean it out. Maybe I need harder brissles.
2. How do you keep it from getting rust colored? I wipe it off each time after use.
3. Is the rust color normal?
4. Is it safe to still use?
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-05-17 13:56
1. Most hardware stores have file cleaning brushes. They have a bed of flexible steel teeth, all bent in one direction. They get the sawdust out of the grooves quickly and easily.
2. The rust color is rust. Keep the file from getting wet by drying the reed before you put it on the file. Hold the butt under your left thumb and over your left index finger and sweep your right thumb and index finger along the vamp from heel to tip until it's dry -- from 10 to 20 times depending on how wet it is. I wouldn't use oil on the file. It tastes nasty.
3. All iron and steel will rust. It's perfectly normal.
4. Rust is not poisonous, although it tastes bad. Usually, the brush will scrub it off. If it doesn't, use it with oil or a rust remover (e.g., Naval Jelly), making sure to clean all of it off, first with soap and water, then water, then a paper towel, and then air drying. Use a hair dryer on low heat if you like.
Ken Shaw
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Author: donald
Date: 2005-05-19 07:11
hey woodwind650
i just made some very nice tenor sax reeds on the 'du-all, and found them much easier to make than clarinet reeds.... i'll try some Bass clarinet ones (yes, they're very similar if not identical but i use quite different strengths on the two instruments) when i get time. I get my reed blanks from Davie Cane, what do you use?
for clarinet i'll always have a mixture of home made vrs factory reeds, but for Saxophone? i'm just going to make my own!
donald
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Author: woodwind650
Date: 2005-05-19 22:28
donald:
i also use daviecane. they're the best and i always appreciate how phil shapiro always replies to my emails. i've tried using other cane [donati and that "vintage" cane supplier in Australia] but without success. i haven't had success using davie's pre-made blanks, so i always make mine from the tube. i think this is always best, at least for me.
i would agree with you about the 'du-all. i've gotten great results making bass clarinet reeds, but clarinet reeds is a little trickier. i make alto reeds for a friend of mine off and on but haven't really tried the tenor route just yet. i don't ever play it so i don't think i'll ever make any.
how long do you cure your cane for?
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2005-05-21 05:26
Regarding the rust. Just my 2 cents:
1. Some people have very rust-inducing perspiration. If so, wear gloves when handling steel tools.
2. Always keep a file in a dry place, where moisture dannot condense on it.
3. Never get a file wet, especially if, as in this case, it is not appropriate to follow this up with a water displacement fluid such as CRC.
4. Rust is VERY damaging to a file, because the rust attacks and dulls the cutting edges of every one of those tiny teeth.
5. Rust delops much faster in the presence of rust, so prevention is important.
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