 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aures22
Date: 2005-10-19 03:31
Hello, I have a Bundy Bb clarinet and while I was trying to bend and adjust the left-hand thumb ring key with a plier, the ring broke off and I am trying to get it back together again. I tried 5 min metal epoxy, but the strength of the bond is not so strong and it has broken off. I'm thinking about soldering it back together, but would like some precise and correct information on the best way to fix this. Thanks.
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Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2005-10-19 04:36
This is not something you should do (unless you're a master welder and know the ins and outs of the clarinet). Definitely take it to a repair shop. If anyone can fix it they can...and if they cannot solder it back on (which will likely be the case) they will replace the whole key.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-10-19 05:11
Did you give the epoxy plenty of time, way more than five minutes (even though that's what the instructions tell you), to cure? I've found that over night is far better than five minutes, even for the fast setting super glues. And make sure the pieces are really, really, really *clean*.
If your local repairer can silver solder it for you, it can be 'restored' that way, as Clarinetist says. Even if the tech can solder it however, a replacement is probably quicker and cheaper.
If you decide to do-it-yourself you might get away with soft soldering it. I recommend using a torch because you need higher heat than a soldering gun produces to do a neat job of it. I like the non tarnishing plumbers solder (local home improvement outlet) for non-critical jobs like that. Be sure to rinse away all traces of (acid)flux when you're done.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: LeeB
Date: 2005-10-19 05:30
I would think that it shouldn't be that hard to find that part, in some technician's clarinet scrapyard. Bundys are ubiquitous, and in the hands of young students, a lot of them meet an early, tragic end (ending up being dropped, etc.). You might try inquiring at larger music stores that serve a lot of elementary school bands.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2005-10-20 10:46
The strength of lead solder and a good epoxy are both around 6000 psi.
The strength of 95/5 (tin/silver) solder is around 15000 psi.
None of these are anywhere near strong enough for the junction of a ring and the rest of the key.
The item needs to be silver-soldered.
The strength of silver-solder is around 70000 psi.
The more correct term for silver-soldering is silver-brazing, and the temperature required will take the key to red hot. A suitable flux is also required.
This is very routine work for a good technician, and should not take more than 10 minutes. Probably less time that it takes to order and fit a replacement key. It should be significantly cheaper.
It will take a little longer now that you have messed up the area with epoxy.
If you try any low temperature (lead or tin based) solder, then you may as well forget about any guarantee when the job is eventually silver soldered. The slightest contamination of lead or tin would compromise the strength of a silver-soldered joint.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2005-10-20 11:06
I've experience with soldering cheap keys. Get a new key.
Did anyone else flinch before finishing the first sentence? I do a little creative bending every now and then but.....
........Paul Aviles
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