 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: m1964
Date: 2026-03-24 04:16
Hi,
I need help in restoring a 1911 Buffet (in A).
It has a "doughnut" key cup on the upper joint. There was a cork pad there but it did not seal well.
I probably can make a cork pad (OD16mm, ID 7mm), but wonder if I could use a flute pad or use a Valentino pad as a starting point.
Maybe take a 16mm Valentino pad and make a 7mm hole in it?
Thank you.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2026-03-24 11:49
Can you post a photo? Just curious because I don't think I've seen a clarinet with a 16mm pad on the upper section that wasn't a bass clarinet (I assume it's not a bass since you didn't mention it).
As far as the pad, you can make it from any pad that you punch/drill/mill/cut a hole in. Cork, leather, synthetic, bladder. As long as it seals it's fine, though I personally wouldn't use bladder since the skin can flap around, depending on the shape of the key.
If the cork pad didn't seal because of (even very small) chips in the tone hole, and/or it's unlevel, then consider if you have a way to repair that. If not then a pad more accommodating than cork would likely seal better (of course it's better to repair that regardless).
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-03-24 17:41
If you are going to cork pad the doughnut key, then only use high quality cork pads instead of using sheet cork which will be full of holes, especially on a pad of that diameter. 16mm cork pads (if that is the inside diameter of the doughnut pad cup) are going to be expensive, but that expense is well worth it in the long run.
3mm thick cork pads should be ideal and punch out the hole first if the pad cup has an internal chimney (or seat the pad first and then punch the hole out afterwards if not), then grind the face flat using several progressively finer grades of pumice block or abrasive laid on glass.
Prep the tonehole crown as well to be sure it's both perfectly level and free from any chips or nicks as cork pads can only seat onto perfect tonehole crowns/bedplaces. Degrease the tonehole crown and fill the imperfections in with superglue and wood dust and grind them level.
Personally I like to apply molten shellac to the back of the pad and then grind it flat again as they can distort with the heat from the shellac if you install them onto molten shellac in the pad cup, plus applying shellac to the back of the pad will ensure it bonds to it (I do that with all pads), then you can float it in the heated pad cup to seat it.
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: Chris P
Date: 2026-03-24 22:47
Why is there a doughnut pad anyway?
It's for the LH forked Eb/Bb fingering (xox|ooo).
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.
Post Edited (2026-03-24 22:50)
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Author: m1964
Date: 2026-03-25 09:42
Chris P. and Clarnibass,
Thank you for replying to me.
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Author: m1964
Date: 2026-03-25 09:58
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Chris P. and Clarnibass,
Thank you for replying to me.
I am thinking of making a 7mm hole in a 16mm Valentino Master pad. They are softer than cork and should work better (I think). Also, they are 3mm thick. The original was 3.2mm thick.
I did find one supplier who sells cork pads up to 17mm - Ferree's. However, those are 2.8mm thick
I looked at the crown through a magnifying glass and do not see any defects, so I probably will not touch it. There are small defects on one or two other tone holes but nothing major.
Pictures are attached.
Post Edited (2026-03-25 10:00)
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2026-03-25 18:19
2.8mm thick is alright - you can just use more shellac behind it to bring it to the required thickness so it sits evenly in the pad cup with equal amount of sidewall showing all the way around once seated.
I was surprised to see the doughnut pad is 16mm when plateaux clarinet fingerplates usually require maybe a 13.5mm or 14mm diameter pad, but the wider tonehole crown is much better for pads than a narrower crown as a wider diameter crown distributes finger pressure much better.
Oboe main action toneholes also follow that design with a wide crown and a relatively small tonehole in the centre and it also allows for any diameter tonehole to be used within the crown.
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.
Post Edited (2026-03-25 18:32)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2026-03-25 19:40
I think the largest soprano clarinet doughnut key I've seen had a 15mm pad.
>> I am thinking of making a 7mm hole in a 16mm Valentino Master pad. <<
Notice that your calipers show about 7.1mm when measuring the inside diameter of the hole. Then you have the wall. So you might need around a 7.5mm to 8.0mm hole in the pad. Measure the outside of the key hole including the walls to check.
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