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Re: Buffet left hand nylon pin/dowel

Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2007-02-05 15:15

Because of the geometry of the key relative to the lever, either a pin needs to move across the hole during key travel, or the lever must have a sloppy pivot to allow for sideways movement, or that hole should not be circular.

As a compromise, the business end of the pin should be barrel shaped or round when looking from the side, but rectangular when viewed from above, i.e. narrow so it can move across the hole a little without the linkage binding. The business end of the pin could start off spherical, and then crushed, side to side, to make it narrow when viewed from above.

This is what I try to achieve when I make a metal replacement. Then I have no problem at all with two thicknesses of goldbeater. Indeed, I rarely have a problem with two thicknesses anyway, as Ken seems to. I use contact glue to laminate a large sheet, which lasts me for a few decades. The Evostik glue between the layers probably makes the material significantly tougher.

I don't cut circles. Suitable sized rectangles are just as good, probably better, because they get less bunching up where the pin has to move from side to side in the hole.

Before I replace the skin, I often check that the pins are central to the holes. This then enables use of the double thickness without binding.

Double thickness certainly seems quieter than a single thickness.

If the holes are slightly on the large size for the pins, I revel in using a far, far tougher material, the spinnaker cloth used for top racing yachts. It is 0.05 mm thick. (Free offcuts from the floor of the local sail maker :-)

A good test for the robustness of membranes used here is to try to pierce the material between my eye teeth. All plastic bag type materials fail miserably compared with goldbeater, and it is a real struggle to pierce the spinnaker cloth.

Ken wrote: "Think extra pins are fiddly? Try carrying around tiny whisps of goldbeater's skin, which has to be ... carefully folded over the pin and then jammed into the hole without falling off or getting blown away."

I apply contact a very thin layer of contact cement around the pin. Then by the time I have applied to to a narrow strip of silencer, and cut off suitable lengths (which conveniently stick to the edge of the scissor blades) The glue has set enough to easily attach the membrane around the pin with no problems. Then I thrust the pin into the end of my syringe of Alsyn cork grease, and mount the levers on the instrument.

Easy operation. Very long lasting, especially with the spinnaker cloth. Amazing stuff! Very quiet.

I, too find the nylon pins too noisy, and often find there is room to cover them with goldbeater. I find Teflon noisy too, when it is used on throat key linkages. Goldbeater and other TOUGH membrane silencers have a lot going for them.

Did I hear a rumour that Buffet has or is going back to metal pins? About time. Shame on them for ever introducing them.

Shame also on Selmer, who use a similar pin on at least their Signature model.

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Buffet left hand nylon pin/dowel new

GBK

2007-02-02 17:29