Author: cjwright
Date: 2014-04-16 11:40
Quote:
What is the consensus on scraping the bark on the ends of the cane before tying on?
For 20+ years I tapered my reeds. For the past two years, I no longer do this after reading Elaine Douvas explain that she believes it effects the opening of the blank to be smaller. I've not been tapering for about a year now, and I'm not really sure if it makes a difference or not.
Quote:
I think it's best to taper the ends of the cane so the thread will go on without any gaps between the windings. An abrupt step can cause a gap between the windings at the end of the cane which doesn't look good and can also cause a leak if you don't varnish your thread after binding. .
An abrupt step, perhaps. Of course this all depends on how you tie. For example, I tie one or two loops up, before I cross over and come back down, by which the 2nd loop down the reed is completely sealed and I test it to make sure that it seals before tying the rest of the way, a good 7-8mm from the very end of the piece of cane. Yes, agree that it looks better after tapered, but with some practice you can make it look decent enough.
Quote:
Yes, I soak in the hottest water out of the tap. Cold/cool water has a huge impact on the flexibility of the cane, especially here where it can't decide if it's going to be autumn or not (35C last weekend... :S) and cooler water seems to vary the 'climate' for the cane too much.
Funny, I always had leaking problems WHEN I soaked my cane in hot water. Soaking cane in hot water makes the pores of the cane expand and flood with water, and thus the entire piece of cane expand and warp far more than using tepid room water. It takes longer for the piece of cane to shrink as it cools. When the blank dries, the piece of cane is bound to the staple, but shrinks far more dramatically than it would if it were not soaked in hot water thus creating more torque and warpage.
My two cents. Not saying that my opinion is authoritative by any means, but observations from my own experience.
Blog, An Oboe In Paradise
Solo Oboe, Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra
Post Edited (2014-04-16 12:00)
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