 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BigChief44
Date: 2026-02-24 06:13
Hi all I'm starting to learn advanced clarinet repair and I was wondering how you guys do this particular repair.
So when you have a clarinet tenon that's broken beyond belief you would counterbore the joint, then manufacture a new tenon on a lathe, then epoxy the tenon in, drill out the lowest tone hole and undercut it (assuming this is the upper joint) and then ream the bore to match the new tenon.
I understand everything there but where does one acquire a reamer to do the last step I described there? Maybe there's something I'm missing
Thanks
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2026-02-24 13:44
A reamer is usually a good option only if you need to do quite a few that are the same size. A cylindrical reamer would only work for the exact same size bore. A tapered reamer could work for more than one tapered bore but only if the angle is the same and then only in cases where pushing it more/less into the bore would work (not always, and that area of the bore isn't normally tapered even when it's not a cylindrical bore).
I usually just make the new tenon to size before gluing it.
An alternative method that is excellent even for completely broken off tenons/sockets is to pin them. Either use the original tenon/socket if it's not too broken, or make a new tenon/socket. If done well - and there a few critical details for that repair - it's as good as the original or a full graft, and has a few advantages.
I use both methods.
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Author: BigChief44
Date: 2026-02-24 17:20
Thanks clarnibass!
Generally speaking for example the middle joint of a clarinet are those tapered at all? Would you use telescopic bore gauges to measure then use your lathe to turn a taper if there is one?
Thanks
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-02-24 19:28
The middle tenon should have a parallel sided bore and is where the bore is at its narrowest and where the published bore measurement is taken from (eg. 14.75mm on Howarth S1/S2 clarinets) - the expansion is only at the top end of the top joint from above the throat A tonehole upwards and continued through the barrel bore.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: BigChief44
Date: 2026-02-24 21:35
Thank you very much Chris.
By any chance do you have any recommendations for the adhesive used for this particular repair? I use super glue for making new tone holes but for a tenon replacement maybe some sort of epoxy would be best? Maybe araldite or jb weld even?
Thanks
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-02-25 01:39
Slow cure epoxy is your best bet - Araldite or Bob Smith.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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