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 Best clarinet repair kit/essential tools list
Author: SoundofPraise 
Date:   2019-02-18 22:15

Hello,

I would like to be able to learn to do general repair to my own clarinets (changing the pads etc...). I have seen quiet a bit of material and videos to learn from. I am wondering if anyone can suggest a good beginner kit or a list of tools that are essential I should order and then get the material I need separately. So far I have seen these:

Valentino Clarinet Fix Kit:

http://www.jlsmithco.com/repair-kits/valentino-clarinet-fix-kit


Music Medic Clarinet Repair Kit

https://musicmedic.com/products/repair-kits/clarinet-repair-kits/musicmedic-com-clarinet-repair-kit.html


I have also seen I can order tools on Ferrees tools which look like good quality tools.

I am currently wanting to practice being able to dismantle and clean a clarinet (on a cheap one), change the pads and put it back together as a starting point. If anyone can point me in the right direction as far as essential tool list I would be grateful.



Post Edited (2019-02-18 22:27)

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 Re: Best clarinet repair kit/essential tools list
Author: Paul Aviles 
Date:   2019-02-18 22:51

For me the first, most basic tool is a good screw driver. You want a long micro type. I have a set from Wera:


https://products.wera.de/en/screwdrivers_series_kraftform_micro_2035_6_a.html


The other basic component is the correct oil. Most are far too thin to be affective particularly for pivots. I would recommend the Hetman Heavy Key oil.


https://www.wwbw.com/Hetman-18-Needle-Oiler-Heavy-Key-Lube-483863-483863000999161.wwbw?rNtt=heavy%20key%20oil&index=4


I want to add to the above because there are essential tools for removing keys.

To aid in getting axles out, you should use something like a small bent-nose pair of pliers

https://www.amazon.com/TEKTON-3516-Precision-45-Degree-Pliers/dp/B000NPR2LW/ref=sr_1_8?hvadid=77721782582400&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvqmt=e&keywords=bent+needle+nose+pliers&qid=1550516079&s=gateway&sr=8-8&tag=mh0b-20


And to disengage and reattach springs, a 1.4mm crochet hook is a must:

https://www.createforless.com/Boye-Steel-Crochet-Hooks-5-in.-Size-9-1.4-mm/pid5843.aspx?CAWELAID=1439795073&CAGPSPN=pla&CAAGID=11319326534&CATCI=pla-74264991974&catargetid=530001980000049459&cadevice=c&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIloHwrfvF4AIV1EsNCh1i9g7CEAYYASABEgIK7PD_BwE


Just that will allow you to get to any problem and do regularly (monthly) key oiling. I know so many folks talk about how they don't oil just fine. The alternative to regular oiling is metal upon metal wear - not good.


Beyond that there is more that you could learn just asking a few questions from a reputable repair person (a good friend to have!). They get a lot of supplies from Votaw Tool Company. Which reminds me that you could use a decent feeler gauge if you are doing a lot of pad replacement.

https://www.votawtool.com/supplies/feeler-gauge/feeler-gauge-material-0005-silver.html

and

https://www.votawtool.com/supplies/feeler-gauge/feeler-gauge-holder.html



For me any pre-packaged repair kit is a total waste of money.





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



Post Edited (2019-02-18 23:04)

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 Re: Best clarinet repair kit/essential tools list
Author: SoundofPraise 
Date:   2019-02-19 00:46

Paul! This is incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer.

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 Re: Best clarinet repair kit/essential tools list
Author: SunnyDaze 
Date:   2019-02-20 21:08

I've done a little bit of repair as a novice, stripping clarinets down and cleaning them and putting them back together. Along with the things that Paul suggests, here are some things that I found, though as I say, I am just a novice so they might not be right:

- A digital camera - so you can photograph the keys and their position on the instrument as they are coming off. You can look at the photos in reverse when you want to put all of the pieces back on and it really helps.

- A tray to put all of the bits on, and small pots for the screws.

- metal polish for the keys, and a cloth. This could be silver polish for silver keys or I used chrome car polish for nickel silver keys. I'm not sure if that was right.

- A Dremel multi drill-type thing with a polishing end on it. I found this incredibly useful for polishing up nickel silver keys that had decades of stuff to be cleaned off. I'm not sure if we are meant to use such a thing, but it worked an absolute treat.

- Maybe a very narrow pipe cleaner to clean the old dirty oil out of the long tubes on the keys. I didn't have one, but I think it would have been helpful.

- I tried to fit new pads and it really didn't work very well. I think that is the point where it's good to have an expert to teach how to do it. I didn't get very far with fitting new cork either.

- This book is very good: "Dr Downing's Clarinettist's First Aid Doctor", and this one: "Clarinet Manual: How to Buy, Set up and Maintain a Boehm System Clarinet".

Good luck!

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 Re: Best clarinet repair kit/essential tools list
Author: SoundofPraise 
Date:   2019-02-20 22:29

Thank you for the useful info Sunny. I appreciate it.

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 Re: Best clarinet repair kit/essential tools list
Author: Zia 
Date:   2019-02-21 00:06

As was said a good screwdriver, oil and a crochet hook, a pair of plyers covered in something with tape is useful for certain things. the haynes manual for it is intresting and has helpful pictures for talking it appart, have a go fitting pads with superglue, it gives longer to practice setting the pads, also if practicing on a plastic one just use cheap pads, i use ones from china and for practicing are perfect for the job on a budget. Be prepared to have to spend a lot of time learning how to set pads, do one joint at a time to help identify problems to correct as you go along.

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 Re: Best clarinet repair kit/essential tools list
Author: Paul Aviles 
Date:   2019-02-21 00:52

I need to respond to the mention of super glue. You may use super glue for silencing corks, but DO NOT EVER use super glue for pads !!!!! You need to able to reheat the cup when "floating" the pad into place so that they seat flat across the tone hole. This is why traditionally this was done with shellac. Today many repair folks use hot glue.




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

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