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 Key Silencers
Author: Clarineteer 
Date:   2014-11-01 20:36
Attachment:  IMG_1804.jpg (1903k)
Attachment:  IMG_1802.jpg (1802k)

I recently purchased a Bb clarinet and found that there were a couple of either rubber or plastic (not sure which) black silencers on both of the spatula keys where they attach on the lower joint. Please see attached photos. Does anyone know what these are made from and where they can be purchased. Thanks very much.

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 Re: Key Silencers
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2014-11-01 20:40

That looks like heat shrink tubing - you can get that at any electrical or craft specialists.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: Key Silencers
Author: Clarineteer 
Date:   2014-11-01 20:49

Thanks. Any idea how they get the little collar on there.



Post Edited (2014-11-01 20:55)

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 Re: Key Silencers
Author: BobD 
Date:   2014-11-01 21:33

The collar is simply the result of pushing the heat shrink on while its still pliable.
OR, the black stuff is electricians' tape or something else.

Bob Draznik

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 Re: Key Silencers
Author: hartt 
Date:   2014-11-01 21:44

probably not an ideal solution but first.......

yepper, looks like heat shrink tubing. unless you know someone who has a pc of this in the correct size , buying at a hardware store may not be ideal ........it is usually sold in a pkg of various sizes. It is shrunk by using heat such as that of a match flame. HEAT, not flame.

this is usually used on the pins when the mating holes have become enlarged..... as will accommodate the xtra size of the pin + tubing.
The added thickness (assuming it fits into the hole) may require adjustment of the lever key cork bumpers.

Another solution of silencing that you might try is simple.........

using saran/cling wrap, cut a square small enough to fit over the pin . You can also use tweezers to hold the pc over the hole and then insert the key pin.
If need be, you can double the thickness of the wrap.

I found this to silence the clacking and not impede key movement.

I've tried fishskin and 'skin' from a bladder pad but found these be be less durable

me

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 Re: Key Silencers
Author: Clarineteer 
Date:   2014-11-01 21:55

Thanks again to everyone.

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 Re: Key Silencers
Author: Paul Aviles 
Date:   2014-11-02 00:37

My preference in this area is to have the metal pins at the ends of the spatula key completely replaced with teflon pins that are recessed into the ends. The are not 100% silent but they are sufficiently quiet and for all purposes will last forever.







..............Paul Aviles

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 Re: Key Silencers
Author: kdk 2017
Date:   2014-11-02 01:27

...unless they break off.

There was an entire thread about this awhile back.

Karl

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 Re: Key Silencers
Author: maxopf 
Date:   2014-11-02 01:49
Attachment:  FullSizeRender-3.jpg (638k)

It's heat shrink tubing, as someone already mentioned. I watched my local repair technician put it on my instrument once, though he put it on because the key was wobbling in its place, not because it was making a lot of noise. From what I remember, he just took the key off, slid the tubing on, and held it over a flame to shrink it into place.
Mine was where the LH Eb key attaches to the pad. Pic attached.

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 Re: Key Silencers
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2014-11-02 05:23

You can use heat from a hot air gun, a hairdryer or simply by dipping the tubing into a mug of boiling water to shrink it onto the pins so you won't scorch it as you can do when heating it with a flame.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: Key Silencers
Author: Paul Aviles 
Date:   2014-11-03 23:01

And from the last thread........ TEFLON won't break like nylon (be sure it's teflon).






......................Paul Aviles

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 Re: Key Silencers
Author: saxlite 
Date:   2014-11-04 00:12

The best solution I have found is to replace the nylon bulby thing altogether with a suitable length of string-line trimmer nylon filament. Pull out the bulby thing. drill a slightly larger hole and cram in the nylon string. Indestructable and quiet. For a finishing touch, you can take a small length, spin it in your electric drill, hold a file to the end to round it off, then cut it to the correct length.
Works great!!

Jerry

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 Re: Key Silencers
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2014-11-04 04:59

I reinforce Buffet nylon pins by drilling an 0.8mm hole all the way through them and push fitting a needle spring in there - much easier and far less time consuming to do than fabricating pins from metal or carbon fibre and nothing else has been altered.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: Key Silencers
Author: BobD 
Date:   2014-11-05 15:13

"Weed Whacker" nylon comes in different sizes and a roll of it will provide enough replacement pins for more than a lifetime. I myself am not inclined to enlarge the pin hole. Novices attempting to cut needle wire may encounter problems and the needle wire may enlarge the target hole with time.

Bob Draznik

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