 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aures22
Date: 2006-04-11 21:30
With so many different kinds of epoxies in the market, I'm wondering what the best one would be for use on a wooden clarinet instrument to adjust toneholes for altering pitch.
I need something with NO to very little odor when cured; clear and transparent in color; viscosity such that it can be painted on like molasses; is hard and resistant to shape change when cured and can be sanded and filed; has a work time of at least 30 minutes- 1 hr and not fast curing like the quick 5 minute expoxies.
If somebody has good experience and knows exactly will fit my descriptions and what will work the best, I would greatly appreciate the good advice.
Post Edited (2006-04-11 21:57)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-04-11 22:20
Araldite. Comes in different flavours of which one (here called "standard" as opposed to "rapid") has >1h cure time. Odour free, solvent free and (as far as I know) food safe, chemically inert when dry.
However, it does not (I haven't seen an epoxy 2 component that actually did) dry "crystal clear". It's transparent but has a slightly yellowish tint (visible on white china, unobtrusive on non-white surfaces).
Disclaimer: I have two small children. I know how to glue things.
But for toneholes you could as well try PVA glue, mixed with sawdust.
--
Ben
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Author: jmsa
Date: 2006-04-11 22:23
There is a company by the name of Jamestown Distributors that supplies products specifically made for the boating industry. They have many types of epoxy. You should be able to find the correct one for your application. Their web address is www.jamestowndistributors.com
jmsa
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Author: Cuisleannach
Date: 2006-04-12 01:19
I've seen something about a material, I think called plasticene, which is used by recorder folks to toy with their tone holes. Its non-permanent, which allows you to experiment with different amounts of fill before you set things in stone (or epoxy, as it were).
-Randy
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-04-12 10:24
On oboes I've used hard black wax applied with a hot steel rod to fill in toneholes (not fully), then use a series of twist drills to take them up to the required diameter to tune certain notes. I've done the same on my Eb clarinet as the throat notes were sharp.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2006-04-12 14:21
Tom Ridenour uses and recommends a putty-style epoxy. It comes in blue and yellow strips, and you knead equal parts together until it's evenly green. I've used it and found that it has practically no odor, and it's easy and convenient to put in place and shape.
Tom says he prefers the green color, which shows exactly what you've done and shows you what you can shape or remove to get back to where you started. Since it's inside the hole, it doesn't show.
Tony Pay says he and other English players use Blu-Tac (Blu Tak, Blu Tack). It's a plasticine, lightly adhesive putty that doesn't harden completely and can be easily shaped and removed. It's made by Faber-Castell and Bostik. http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/Jan2003/1043271591.Ph.r.html
Ken Shaw
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-04-12 14:27
My Series 9 A had red sealing wax in the tonehole chimneys when I bought it, but I've cleaned it all out as it made the upper notes of the top register flat.
Blu-Tack is probably the best stuff for experimenting with altering the tuning, but knead it well as it sticks better when it's warm.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2006-04-12 15:06
I must admit that the idea of using an epoxy...a rather permanent material...for tone hole adjustment is rather surprising to me, especially a slow curing one. I would think that keeping it from "running" down to the bore intersection would be a problem.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2006-04-12 19:44
Bob -
That's why people use epoxy putty or Blu Tak, which don't run.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2006-04-13 13:26
A world class recorder maker once told me he used PVA (which he said could be pushed off again if necessary on hard timbers), or nail polish (which is available in black)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2006-04-13 14:48
Oh, I've got some of that too....very handy.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Aures22
Date: 2006-04-14 03:49
I've tried using the 60 min epoxy on my Bundy clarinet and so far the results are good. It has brought down in tune many sharp notes that were otherwise uncorrectable and happy with that. On the upper joint the LH F# and LH right D were both very sharp, but with the epoxy they both hit the tuner. Only problem is that there is a bit of the smell.
So far, I have not had problems of it running down to the bore when applying it. I use a small artist brush (cheap one so I can throw it away) and apply it around the tone hole and afterwards clean the area around it with cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol. I have to do this several times to get the pitch correct.
I honestly don't like the idea of having to look at anything green on the tone holes. It will definitely stick out when I look at it and that will be bothersome.
Nail polish-I'll think about that one. To the person who mentioned it, do you know the exactly what brand to use?
About the PVA, what exactly is that? White glue is known as PVA also, and I don't think that would work well at all. Perhaps you mean something else?
I definitely have to think about this more carefully with my wood clarinet as it's a very good player and the best instrument I've played so far.
Post Edited (2006-04-14 03:53)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2006-04-14 15:22
At least on the page I linked to (Google Definitions), PVA is said to be different from white (i.e., Elmer's) glue -- harder and stronger.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2006-04-14 16:24
Kinda strange that different glues with different properties have the same name - I always assumed PVA was the non-toxic water soluble white glue we used to cover our hands with and peel it off, pretending to be shedding our skin like a reptile (back in primary school that is, though I might go and try it again for a laugh).
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-04-14 19:35
Kinda strange that different glues with different properties have the same name
Are they really that different? Did you know that manufacturers put colorants and sometimes even perfumes into their glues so that the buyer can tell their brand from others?
--
Ben
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