 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: knotty
Date: 2015-06-12 19:30
I'm finally ready to pay out for good screwdrivers. The ones I've been using is too short (4" overall), making for steep angles on some key screws and increasing the likelihood of stripping.
What length and brand do you recommend?
In searching, the name Wiha comes up.
http://wihatools.com/default.htm
Thanks!
~ Musical Progress: None ~
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-06-12 20:05
I have a set of Wera made in Germany. I'm not saying EVERYTHING musically related is better from Germany, but I love these. The set of six micro screw drivers was about $50.
.............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BartHx
Date: 2015-06-12 20:25
I get the majority of my tools from either Ferree's or Votaw. Offhand, I don't recall who makes the screwdrivers they sell, but you will find them worth every penny they cost and more.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: nbclarinet
Date: 2015-06-12 21:22
I bought some Wiha screwdrivers for my macbook. Ive never used any of them for my clarinet... but the ones that I got were really high quality. Made in germany i think
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-06-12 23:26
I do also do use my micro screw drivers for other things. I don't know if I want the handle of my screw driver to be the excellent conductor of electricity that gold would happen to be.
..............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2015-06-12 23:35
Buy decent quality screwdrivers with reasonably long blades and good handles and shape the tips to suit your needs as there aren't all many off-the-shelf screwdrivers that are designed for the kind of work we use them for.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2015-06-12 23:36
There are two points of view. The screwdrivers mentioned have very hard blades that last indefinitely. The downside is that they're harder than screws and rod slots and can damage them.
I've gone the other way and gotten jeweler's screwdrivers with relatively soft, replaceable blades, on the theory that a worn-out or messed up screwdriver blade is better than a ruined screw or rod. I don't do enough repair work that blade wear matters much.
Ken Shaw
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: knotty
Date: 2015-06-12 23:40
Since these screwdrivers come in different total lengths, I'm going to get a foot long BB skewer to measure what lengths I need for every screw on a clarinet. Seems a combination of short and long driver lengths might be the handiest depending on where the screw is.
I figure on getting 1.5 to 3.5 mm in blade width. I don't need a whole set, just a few sizes for everything clarinet.
Thanks all for the input.
~ Musical Progress: None ~
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2015-06-12 23:47
I have had my set of Feree's screwdrivers for about 20 years and wouldn't be without them.
Mine have individually replaceable blades in 3 different widths and 3 sizes of handle (all blades fully interchangeable with any handle) including a large one that enables really high but well controlled torque for those really stubborn or stuck screws.
I have several spare blades but rarely needed to replace any.
Essential to have some really long blades to allow a shallow in-line approach to screw heads.
In addition I have a few shorter hand made drivers for the appropriate situations.
Do not stint on buying the best you can get.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BartHx
Date: 2015-06-13 00:27
I also find it very helpful to make sure the handle has a top that spins. That allows you to hold the screwdriver in the slot and to apply torque to the handle with two different parts of your hand. You are much less likely to slip and/or do damage that way.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2015-06-13 10:10
>> The screwdrivers mentioned have very hard blades that last indefinitely. <<
It really depends. I would say both Wiha and Wera that were metnioned have relatively good blades, but they definitely don't "last indefinitely". Wiha seems slightly harder than Wera but can't say for sure.
>> The downside is that they're harder than screws and rod slots and can damage them. <<
Not if there is a good fit in the slot. That's the main reason a screwdriver would ruin or not ruin a slot. Softer blades can completely ruin a slot if the fit is poor.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: MichaelW
Date: 2015-06-13 17:50
In my boat building years I learnt the English expression "tool husbandry", and that's what to do with your screwdrivers: fit the edge of the blades exactly in length and thickness for different purposes and right angle with a Dremel or, better, a stationary grinding wheel. I don't find expensive "high tech" screwdrivers necessary and think, a bit harder or softer isn't as important as keeping an exact fit and a clean edge. Mine are way longer than the toys from the instrument case, so I don't need different lengths. Also the grips are substantial and from plastic. A turning knob at the end is fine.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: knotty
Date: 2015-06-13 17:55
Yes, I'm quite sure I'll get the German made Wiha's, they have just what I think I need and the clearest size chart. Their names crack me up, Wiha, Wera, Felo.
Yesterday I was trying to figure what lengths I need and found the standard set lengths are fine for most of the screws. There are a couple screws where the screwdriver has to parallel the clarinet body perhaps four, five, inches where a extra long driver would work nicely.
Thanks!
~ Musical Progress: None ~
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2015-06-14 09:04
I've got some Felo screwdrivers too. They are relatively soft and would tend to bend rather than break, which means they aren't great for stuck or very resistant screws. They are still pretty good overall and I use one regularly, but I would rate them behind Wera and Wiha in the quality of the blade.
In the woodwind repair world it's more or less agreed that the discontinued Kraus screwderiders were the best... I save mine especially for stuck screws but all of mine required reshaping the end. These were approx $35 for one hande and blade...
J.L. Smith is now making what many say are very good screwdrivers. They are also pretty expensive.
Re sizes, the most useful ones on clarinets are 1.8mm/2.0mm, 2.5mm and (less often) 1.5mm.
2.0mm is probably my most used but some clarinets have screws that are just slightly too small for that so I use 1.8mm.
2.5mm is the most useful size for clarient pivot screws, but some clarinets have smaller ones, especially headless pivot screws that sometimes need 1.5mm.
Some clarinets have hinge rods that also need 1.5mm, but overall I use this size significantly less than 2.0mm (but you probably wouldn't want 2.0mm as your smallest size).
It is rare to need 3.0mm but I think I use it sometimes (though it is one of the most useful sizes for saxophones).
I don't remember the last time or if I've ever used anything larger on clarinets.
I've used 1.2mm once in a blue moon...
I have each size in "regular" and "long" blade versions. I use the former a lot more often, but use both lengths a lot. Regular is approx 6-8cm blade. Long is approx 10-20cm. I have some even longer ones but don't use them on clarinets.
Post Edited (2015-06-14 09:07)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2015-06-14 11:18
PB Swiss. Sizes 00, 0 and 1 and you're set for everything Sax and Clarinet.
--
Ben
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2015-06-14 13:20
J L Smith has custom made screw drivers that are extremely hardened so that you can actually use them to break a frozen pivot screw or hinge rod loose without bending or breaking the blade which happens to most screw drivers and they are guaranteed for life if the blades get damaged.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: knotty
Date: 2015-06-14 21:11
Thanks Clarnibass, tictactux, and Clarineteer. I just ordered a set of Wiha's, two of each size, one standard length and one extra long. From 1.5 to 3.5 mm.
~ Musical Progress: None ~
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
