 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: kilo
Date: 2023-12-06 16:05
The Royal Global Max is a low C bass clarinet which is basically the same instrument as the Royal Global Polaris but where the Polaris is made from grenadilla, the Max is made of composite material. One difference, however, is that the Polaris comes with two pegs while the Max only comes with a short peg for playing while seated. The case is the same for both instruments and there's a slot which will fit either size peg.
I wanted to have the option of playing from a standing position if necessary. The Max is heavy, and even with a two-hook neckstrap playing without floor support is impractical. I thought I might be able to special order the long peg from the seller, Mike Lowenstern, but he checked with Royal and it wasn't an option. So I decided to fashion one of my own.
I decided to use a pultruded carbon fiber rod. It's lighter, yet stiffer, than a metal rod of the same diameter. Where the peg for my Model 30 measures 9/32" the Max uses a hefty 5/16" (8 mm) peg. This was fortunate because as I began to search for the material, no one was offering 9/32" stock. I found one good source by searching through Woodwind.org but the minimum length was four feet and the shipping cost was exorbitant. I wanted a twenty inch long rod. That source also recommended cutting it with a diamond blade on an angle grinder, both of which I'd have to obtain.
I shelved the idea for a week or two but then went back to the search and found what I needed from an outfit called Rock West Composites out of Utah. I was able to purchase a 24" carbon rod, with shipping, for $35. And the site recommended cutting it with a 32 t.p.i. hacksaw blade, which I had. I ordered a 1 3/8" rubber ball from McMaster/Carr for less than $4.00.
Cutting the rod to length was no problem. After cutting it I chamfered the ends by twirling them on a diamond sharpening stone. The next task was drilling a hole in the ball. I secured the ball with a woodworker's handscrew clamp and a few C-clamps and positioned it under a portable drill press. I used a 5/16 bradpoint bit and drilled a hole about halfway through the ball. The rod fit snugly; I backed it out, added a few drops of urethane glue and seated it firmly.
After letting the glue set up overnight I used it during my morning practice session and was very satisfied with the new peg. Not a complicated project at all, it was really just a matter of finding the material. The one part of the operation that could be improved was drilling the hole in the rubber ball. I think chucking the ball in a lathe and using some sort of machinist's cutter with a slow feed would make for a cleaner cut, but for my purposes, with the tools I had on hand, it turned out really well. The next job will be fitting the peg on a roller skate so I can use the Max in parades! /s
EDIT: added picture - https://i.imgur.com/tloglIE.jpg
1. 5/16" carbon fiber rod 2. 8mm default peg for Max 3. 9/32" chrome -plated steel peg for Selmer 30.
Post Edited (2023-12-07 05:34)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JTJC
Date: 2023-12-06 20:29
I did a similar thing to get a longer peg for my Buffet Basset Horn. I used 7mm carbon rod, which I bought from a company selling model plane making supplies. However, I find it has a little too much flex.
I just couldn't find 7mm stainless steel rod anywhere, polished or otherwise. I bought a length of the nearest imperial sized stainless steel rod but the bracket on the the bell just didn't grip it.
I found a rubber ball foot on the web. It has a metal bracket on it, with two screws to hold it to the end of the rod. I think that was a cello accessory.
I'm not sure whether you were joking about the wheel. It sounds like a bad idea. One bump and you might lose some teeth, unless you fit suspension to the rod.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Julian ibiza
Date: 2023-12-06 21:29
Cello end pins are 8mm if metal but jump to 10mm in carbon fiber, so you did well making your own there Kilo.
You should market them with the slogan
" Raises your altissimo!"
Julian Griffiths
Tel. 34 696 798 853
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
