 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: oboeTX
Date: 2017-09-15 20:56
Hello bboard,
Any suggestions on how best to replace a bocal cork for English horn? I first thought it would be similar to replacing a tenon cork, but each time I try to bend the strip of sheet cork around the bocal, the cork cracks straight through.
Thanks in advance for any advice you have to offer.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-09-15 21:16
Sand the cork strip on both sides first with a fairly coarse abrasive and then roll or bend it to make it more supple. Some sheet cork is more supple than others, so find the most flexible one and use that. The main problem is it has to go around a very tight radius, so really pushing the cork to its limits.
It also helps to humidify the cork, so place it in a freezer bag with a damp sponge or piece of kitchen towel dampened and ringed out.
When it comes to fitting the cork, I mount the crook on a wooden mandrel (filed to the correct taper) which goes into my bench chuck, then sand it so it's parallel-sided and bevel the end that goes into the socket.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: oboeTX
Date: 2017-09-15 22:00
Thanks Chris - a lot of good ideas I can try once I get home this afternoon.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2017-09-21 20:35
Some people suggest hammering or rolling the cork in a mangle to make it more supple. The downside with that is it will compress or distort the cork and it may recover or only recover in the less dense areas as cork isn't a uniform thing even on the same piece.
But humidifying cork is always the best option - find a large plastic Tupperware-type container (with a lid) and place a slightly smaller and shallower tub in there part filled with water. Place a mesh on top of that and place your cork strips on that so it's not in contact with the water. Or if you have a mesh with legs on it, do away with the smaller tub and just fill the large tub just enough so it doesn't touch the cork. Then seal the tub and leave the cork for a few days to hydrate.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: oboeyogi
Date: 2017-09-23 14:41
Hi you can buy Bocal cork that is round cork tube with a taped hole in it. almost looking like oboe staple cork but bigger.
I have some ready when the day comes.
Nicholas
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