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Re: beginner reed maker in despair!

Author: jhoyla
Date: 2008-08-03 06:54

Kerry Willingham on the reedmaker.com website has a whole series of great videos on reedmaking; He also has two about a reed wrapping machine (I think, perhaps, from Pisoni?).

http://www.reedmaker.com/Wrapping.mov

Now it is obvious that most players who make reeds just for themselves will not need the wrapping machine. Take a look at the video anyway, since there are a couple of useful innovations.

1. Tie-length gauge
This little contraption can save much fiddling around with rulers, calipers and the like. permanently fix a 15cm steel rule to a raised foot of some type. The steel rule should project 74mm (say) from the foot. Now, to ensure correct tying length you just use a flat edge, such as the base of your block.

2. The thread anchor
The simplest and best thread anchor I have ever used. It is a slotted screw that is mounted on the side of your workbench. Put the thread through the slot and hold the loose end tightly on the top of the workbench, then wrap two or three wraps around the shank of the screw, over the tightly-held loose end. Advantages:
o Anchor uses very little thread
o Quick and easy to use
o Once you cut off the reed, removing the dead end is trivial
o You don't end up with a massive untidy lump of dead threads

3. Tying off
Kerry snips the loose end very soon after he has wrapped over and down. He ties using what looks like a clove-hitch and then comes the clincher: He coats the thread in Minwax Polycrylic. That way, even if the knot does begin to come loose, the wrapping will not and the reed is still safe. It also seals any gaps between the threads.
I use clear nail-varnish for the same purpose if I suspect a leak from between the threads or if I forget the beeswax.

All good stuff!
J.

Post Edited (2008-08-03 07:12)

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beginner reed maker in despair! new

claire70

2008-07-30 19:59