 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2005-12-09 05:28
After reading the “Clarinet modding” post by tictactux concerning the use of a synthetic material to make pads for the clarinet, I thought I might reveal how I made my own synthetic pads which I still use on my Conn 16 clarinet. My research took place a few years ago and I spent many months trying all kinds of synthetic materials to find the right material that would give a nice light embedded circle, be white in color and of a proper density to be used on the entire clarinet from the top to the bottom.
What I came up with is the following formula for making your own synthetic pads:
Material: White, 1/16 in, cross linked, closed cell, single sided adhesive polyethylene foam which can be bought in small sheets and even in 1” wide tapes. The cross linked material gives a nice smooth finish and is, of course, waterproof. Shelf life is estimated at around 3yrs. I repadded my Conn 16 around 2yrs ago and it plays just as well today as it did when I installed them.
Backing: I used compressed artist’s boards of various thicknesses. I believe they range from around 0.020” to 0.045”.
Cutting: Ferree’s tools sells cork cutters that work really well in cutting perfectly round circles. I have found the cutting diameters to vary so if you order from them you might want them to pre-measure them for the exact size that you want.
Stamping method: Although I used an arbor press, I sense that you might do well with a hammer tapping lightly on top of the cutter with a thick, hard, plastic material underneath the pad material.
Method: To keep the size manageable, I would cut 6 inch strips of the synthetic material, peal off the backing to expose the adhesive, then simply lay the synthetic material on top of a section of artist’s board.
Installation: These pads mount inside the cup with the usual floating method used with other pads.
I found 6lb/cubic ft density to be optimum and can be used from the smallest pads to the largest.
Warning: REPADDING A CLARINET IS NOT EASY. If you want to experience what a professional repairperson goes through, practice on an old, cheap instrument from an auction site.
Have fun!!
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-12-09 06:09
> White, 1/16 in, cross linked, closed cell, single sided adhesive polyethylene
> foam which can be bought in small sheets and even in 1” wide tapes.
Hmm. That sounds like the material I was using. (except from the adhesive thingy).
Is there a definitive product/material name that we can refer to? Seems every user/seller/manufacturer use their own wording. I googled, but as long as you can't google agains the touch and feel of a material...sigh.
(The term used here is "Moosgummi", an english explanation is here: http://www.rueylung.com.tw/home/site_index/Moosgummi. The manufacturer claims it is EVA foam, if this clears up things a bit.)
--
Ben
Post Edited (2005-12-09 06:20)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-12-09 13:26
Sounds good and somewhat familiar, Dan. If it is, I had a pro repad a student horn, sold it, and have not had any returns, so assume success. Any progress re: marketing your methodology. Regards, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2005-12-09 13:57
tictaxtux, I'm at work right now. I'll look through my stockpile of free samples from manufacturers and get back with you on sources.
Don, yes, this is the same material that I used in the pads that I sent you. Glad to hear that the customer was satisfied. I wanted to go into business making these pads but I decided against it for several reasons.
If anyone would like a free sample, please send me a personal email with mailing info.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-12-09 14:59
I had missed the beginning post but find the comments and Dan's methodology interesting. This material sounds like what one can buy as Mounting Tape. I have some that is thicker than 1/16 inch....and in general the material sounds something like the "greenback" pad material. I have used "hole cutters"...not Ferrees....to make pads from cork and leather that have been effective if not totally acceptable. Innovation like Dan's is encouraging and is the type that can lead to advances in clarinet making.
However, given the availability of existing readymade pads the advantage would seem to be the personal satisfaction of making your own.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2005-12-09 18:12
Pisoni once made these pads in high density white foam, and they worked a treat. I used them on student oboes with success, but problems arose when Pisoni sent a new batch which had large bubbles, and open ones on the surface. So they were about as airtight as a sieve. But I stll have some of the older type - they were self adhesive, but I used to put them in with hot glue instead so they could be floated as a normal pad would be.
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