Re: [Harp-L] Re:Was American Chestnut combs, now stainless steel (Vern Smith, Dave Payne)

[Seth Galitzer <sethgali@xxxxxxxxx>]

Sounds like this is going to be one mother of a heavy harp.  It'd be
interesting to see how it sounds compared to other metal combs (eg
aluminum or brass).  Also sounds like fun!

Seth

geoff atkins wrote:
> (Reply to Recommendations and caveats for drilling procedures in Stainless)
> 
> Thanks Vern and Dave!
> 
> The "drilling expert" that was lined-up backed out, so I'm on my own.
> In tests he tells me he has drilled 60 holes in 316 from the same cobalt
> drill bit, with sharpness left for more.
> My drill press is in good order, it's German, not Taiwanese. (I also have a
> German metal-working lathe and gas and arc welding gear in my "little shop
> of horrors").
> 
> I'm getting some cobalt drills (-with spares!) tomorrow, as I've found that
> titanium-coated drills over here are often of suspect quality. In some cases
> HSS has lasted longer.
> I received a tip about the actual drilling: use motorcyle chain lubricant,
> which has a high specific heat, and drill in 2 sec bursts onto lightly
> centre-punched holes. Low revs is a must, as you said , Dave.
> Also I've been told to set the bit in the chuck so that it projects only
> half an inch or so. The steel is 304 grade, which is softer than the 316. 
> 
> I'll make a jig, as the combs are dimensioned to fit Hohner reedplates, in
> which the end holes are cunningly offset. My S/S blanks have all the sharp
> corners removed, so every reed plate will need working upon also.
> I'm going to give Vern's Idea a try, the tapping of the finer holes is a
> worthwhile benefit, thank you for the excellent suggestion. I've already got
> the tap and die kit from past tasks, and will probably use a 2mm OD metric
> thread. 
> I have several 3-stage sets of taps.
> 
> Initially the intention is to put stock covers on. I've quite a lot of
> spares, as the Hohner importer to South Africa doesn't bring-in reed plates,
> so a complete harp has to be bought every time a reed breaks.
> 
> Special covers are the next task, to achieve full-length coverage. Instead
> of stamping 24 pieces, they will be laser cut out of 0.5mm plate. Somehow
> tin snips don't feel right... :)
> The pressing will need a male and female die pair and I have a couple of 20
> ton hydraulic jacks begging to be used. But that's for later.
> 
> Best Regards Geoff Atkins
> 
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The beatings will continue until morale has improved.