The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2016-08-27 03:20
I use a Ton Kooiman thumb rest. Two screws hold the plate on. One of the two screws keeps coming out because I've managed to make the hole a bit bigger and deeper than it originally was. When it comes loose, I'm in trouble. I've tried using "Tacky Glue," and it holds in the screw fine for a few days, then it works itself loose again. I'm certain none of you would recommend I use epoxy, but I'm out of ideas on what to do to keep the screw in. Should I try a longer screw than the one I'm using that is about 3mm long? How long of a screw do I dare try? Is there another type of glue I should try? Should I have a repair person fill in the hole with something then re-drill it so it's the right length and width? Thanks for your suggestions.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-08-27 03:32
You want better screws than the ones supplied with the Kooiman thumbrests as they're no good. You have around 8mm of wall thickness, so any screw up to 6mm in total length will be fine.
Using a 1.7mm drill, drill into the joint to a depth of 5mm and no deeper - mark the drill or use a depth stop (a piece of plastic tubing slipped over the drill will do) so you don't go through to the bore.
Thumbrest screws are available from instrument repair suppliers or have your repair fit it if in doubt.
If the screw holes in the joint have been stripped, then they'll need to be bushed. Turn down a dowel from a piece of grenadilla and superglue it onto the hole (having cleaned it out by enlarging the screw hole to around 2mm). Once the dowel is securely bonded (after around 5-10 seconds), cut it flush with the joint surface and file it to the same radius. Paper and polish it smooth if you need to. Then redrill the screw hole.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2016-08-27 04:35
I swear by "Marine Goop" for many applications in music and photography. Not any of the other varieties of "Goop"- just the Marine stuff. Sticks to almost anything including lots of rubber and plastic, holds indefinitely once set, and REMOVES WITHOUT A TRACE just with some elbow grease and patience. Available on eBay or from hardware stores under $10 per tube. First time you use it, glue together something worthless- say a couple of old drinking cups bottom to bottom- to get used to it. Then after it's set a day or 2, test how much load it can carry (a lot!), then work them back apart and pull all the Goop off, just to prove I was right that it can be removed. THEN use it on your clarinet.
Over the last 10-15 years I bet I have gone through 20 tubes of the stuff.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: Matt74
Date: 2016-08-27 07:16
You can put a small sliver of matchstick, other soft wood, and put it in the hole (or around the screw) before putting the screw in. It should be soft. Don't use something hard, or too thick, just enough to make the screw bite firmly.
- Matthew Simington
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Author: saxlite
Date: 2016-08-28 18:06
Take a common wooden toothpick and cram it in as far as you can, then break it off at the surface. Trim and sand flush the excess. Your screw now should hold adequately.
Jerry
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2016-08-28 18:07
I don't recommend glue.
There are oversized screws available. If this works it is the simplest repair.
Sometimes I will move the thumb rest so I can drill new holes. This is trickier than it sounds.
In extreme cases I have installed brass bushings threaded on both the outside and inside and installed the thumb rest with a machine screw.
Steve Ocone
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