The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ReedWoman
Date: 2001-07-02 21:15
The instructions on Sneezy about replacing pads calls for Pad Slick. What is that, and where does one get it?
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-07-02 21:34
It is used for pressing and leveling the pad in the key cup. It look kind of like the blade of a butter knife, but thinner.
You can get one from Ferree's Tools at 1 800 253-2261. It's called the Clarinet Pad Leveling Tool/Pad Slick, catalog # E33, price $0.90.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-07-02 21:40
A pad slick is a stiff, flat piece of metal about the size and shape of a fingernail file if the file were the maximum width all the way along. The shellac holding the pad in is melted (traditionally, over an alcohol lamp), and before it sets, you press the slick against the bottom of the pad or nudge a side up or down to make it seat properly. It's not as easy as it looks.
Ferree's is probably the best source to order one.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-07-02 22:22
To order a free catalogue click on the URL below:
http://www.ferreestools.com
Ferree's has many things in their catalogue which you might find of interest, if you are a reed enthusiast. There are OTHER "supply" suppliers like Kraus, Votaw, J.L. Smith. Some of the supply houses will sell _only_ to repair shops & music stores.
J.L. Smith (1-800-659-6073) is interesting in that they sell most accessories & they are a supply house, as well.
Best,
mw
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-07-02 23:09
If you have a "Tool-Time" man around it is simple to make a pad slick from an old stainless steel butter knife. I've never bought a pad slick in my life. I've got several lying in my workbench in different configurations for specific applications. All it takes is a band saw or hack saw, a file to get the rough edges off and a polisher/buffer to put a final touch on it. In place of the polisher/buffer you can use sand paper and decreasing the abrasive until you get to a 600 grit or so. Have fun with it.
John
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Author: Todd W.
Date: 2001-07-03 16:48
jbutler--
Or "Tool-Time" woman.
Todd W.
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Author: ReedWoman
Date: 2001-07-03 18:54
You guys are terrific, and this website is the best!
I think for $.90 I can buy one, but does it matter what thickness the butter knife is? Am I simply cutting off the handle and filing and polishing the rough edge, or is there something more precise required?
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Author: mw
Date: 2001-07-03 19:47
Don't forget ye good old SHIPPING & HANDLING. SO, it will be $.90 + $3.95 (if you request USPS Priority Mail, instead of UPS which is $5.95 I think),
Best,
mw
PS - Actually a Butter Knife might be superior as their as some WIDE ones out there. Also, I don't think my Pad Slick is Stainless Steel ... its stained all right!
: )
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-07-03 20:16
ReedWoman -
I 'think' store bought ones might be nickel-silver. Doesn't matter much although I *wouldn't* recommend aluminum or copper. A piece of stiff plastic might do the trick too :] The material doesn't need to be too thick -- 1/16th " or so should work fine. It shouldn't have much flexibility. About the size of a quarter at one end, about a nickel or penny's worth at the other and around 21/2" to 3" long. Of course, you can modify it to suit yourself. A pad slick is NOT a precision piece of equipment. :]
- ron b -
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-07-03 21:38
I just got a bunch of old butter knives from a garage sale...(actually there are forks and spoons also that I threw in with the camping gear) that I cut off the handles and draw a configuration that seems appropriate at the time on the knife end (with a Sharpie marker) and have at it. It takes about 5 min to churn a pretty neat pad slick out. I like the stainless, they seem to cool down faster when I'm using them to iron flute pads.
John
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-07-03 21:48
I've just got to add something here because this takes back a ways and I still have a vivid memory of it. On my FIRST day of apprenticing in repair the FIRST job I had to do for my mentor was make a pad slick. Now, that may not be a BIG DEAl to anyone out there, but it sure was a turning point in my life. I can remember being led to a box of old butter knives and asked to pick one out, then the shop foreman drew a design on it and told me to cut it out on the band saw. I had absolutley no clue what I was making at the time. After doing a quick job of filing we took it to the buffing room and polished it up. I SOON learned what to use it for!
John
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