Re: [Harp-L] Reed replacement

["Fernando Bresslau" <fernando@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi RD,

don't sell your taps yet. The method you described worked, but it can go
wrong, so you will still need the taps as screws to fix it up later. Also,
you can't do that too often on the same reed, the hole inthe plate will wear
off.

So yeah, we have done that and it works. But it is risky and doesn't work in
all situations, so it is good to have an alternative method of replacing
reeds.

All the best,
Fernando

On 8/27/07, Rick Dempster <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> Dear Reeders,
>                         I recall reading something like this on harp-l
> before, but I didn't think of it till I discovered it for myself in a
> moment of impatience before a gig on Saturday.
>                         When replacing a crook reed, I have always
> filed off both sides of the rivet, centre-punched it out, opened up the
> hole in the reed to accept the 10BA screw I use to secure it, drill and
> tap the reedplate, and screw the reed on.
>                        I've been doing this for years because it has
> always worked. Takes me about 45 mins. to do it on a good day.
>                        Last Saturday, on an impulse, I used my
> spring-loaded centre-punch to knock the rivet out from it's peaned-over
> side (ie not the head side) did the same thing to the good reed I was
> robbing from an old plate, chamfered the rivet hole on the host-plate
> with an oversize bit held in my fingers (just to remove some burring)
> and pressed the replacement reed, already suspended on it's rivet just
> as I had removed it,  in place with a pair of pliers.
>                       The first one I did I turned the plate over and
> peaned (or 'spread') the rivet. This put the reed on a lateral angle,
> and I had to fiddle around for quite a while to get it straight &
> working properly.
>                       The next one, I didn't bother spreading the
> rivet; just pressed it in place, took it to the gig and used it. No
> problems.
>                       Took about fifteen minutes.
>                       Anyone want to buy a set of 10BA taps?
> RD