 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: charlie clarinets
Date: 2010-11-02 01:10
I recently got a new clarinet, everything is just amazing except for the joints, they are all way too tight and it make assembling and disassembling the clarinet a pain. So I’m looking for an easy way to remove an even layer of cork from the joints. I have already tried sandpaper and metal file with little success.
Any thoughts and ideas will be appreciated, thanks.
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2010-11-02 01:36
Cork grease? If you've taken a piece of sandpaper and run it around the entire cork, I have no other ideas for you other than a really good cork grease, like the Doctor Slick...
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-11-02 03:20
The sandpaper and file aren't working because there is cork grease embedded in the cork and lubricating it. Use acetone to remove the cork grease from the cork, then try the file and sandpaper again.
Make sure it's indeed the cork that's binding, and not the wood on the tenons. Many new clarinets have a problem with the wood of the tenons swelling and binding in their sockets.
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Author: jasperbay
Date: 2010-11-02 03:21
Files don't seem to work at all. The best sandpaper for cork (especially if there's some cork grease already on the cork) is silicone carbide, the black abrasive, sold as "wet or dry" sandpaper for auto body work. Silicone carbide has sharper grit than the more common alum. oxide type sandpapers, so it cuts easier without pressing very hard. I glue , with contact cement, strips of wet-or-dry paper to popsickle sticks. Start out with 60 or 80 grit, finish with 120-220 grit.
If cork grease causes the sandpaper to clog up, clean with a rubber eraser.
Clark G. Sherwood
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Author: kdk
Date: 2010-11-02 06:52
If it's really that the corks are too tight, greasing them and then leaving the clarinet assembled for a day might compress them enough to make them more manageable. But David's warning is important - if the wood of the tenons themselves is binding, doing this may result in sections that are badly stuck together.
Karl
Post Edited (2010-11-02 17:34)
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Author: pewd
Date: 2010-11-02 13:18
what david said
usually its the wood on new instruments
i've had to sand down 20-30 this fall (each new class of beginners with new e11's we see this issue - every year)
take it to a good tech for adjustment
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: LesterV
Date: 2010-11-02 13:31
I purchased a new R13 about 5 years ago and all the joints seemed to be way too tight, making assembly difficult. However, now the joints all seem to be the ideal tightness and I am glad I didn't remove any cork when new as the joints would probably be too loose.
It seems that many players complain about the joint tightness on new instruments. I suspect this is normal and would consult a competent tech before removing any cork.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-11-02 15:01
Don't start sanding anything down without seeking GOOD advice first - you could end up doing more harm and may end up with loose and wobbling joints which will be far more costly to repair than having tight tenons fitted under guarantee.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2010-11-03 22:40
If you try to remove cork grease with acetone, be careful. Depending on what adhesive is used, it could remove the cork from the instrument. A properly fitted tenon with dry cork should be able to go about two-thirds of the way together before it starts binding. If it does that and cork grease does not help, find someone with the right tools and experience to check and, if necessary, adjust the wood.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-11-04 00:15
You're best removing cork grease with clean, dry cotton rags, or cotton rags with some alcohol (methylated spirits or isopropyl).
Don't use acetone as it's a solvent - especially on plastic clarinets as it will dissolve the plastic.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-11-04 13:02
Hey y'all, a paper towel LIGHTLY soaked with acetone is safe enough and will indeed remove the cork grease without removing the cork itself, nor damaging the instrument. It's all in the wrist, as they say!
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2010-11-04 18:27
>>It seems that many players complain about the joint tightness on new instruments. I suspect this is normal and would consult a competent tech before removing any cork.
>>
Yes, it is normal, because cork is soft enough to pack down when it remains under pressure for very long. Before sanding the corks down, try this: put an extra amount of grease on them, more than you'd normally use, assemble the clarinet and leave it assembled overnight. Use the extra grease because the corks will absorb some and you want to be sure you can get the clarinet apart again the next day. Odds are pretty good that if you do this procedure once or twice, the corks will pack down enough to fit well. The only time I'd sand brand-new corks would be if they were so thick that I *couldn't* assemble the clarinet.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-11-05 02:59
I always use a dry cloth first. Then I use those ladies "trimming their nails," called Emery Boards, that have sand paper on both sides of the boards. Works great for for sizing down cork as well as when you put new cork on a joint and you have to sand off some of the cork.
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