[Harp-L] Reed Material from Micro-Mark

[Harvey Berman <cscharp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Micro-Mark lists .006" sheets of Phosphor Bronze, which comes in a pack of 3 5X7 sheets.  The price is $11.55.  With the exception of the weight and the pad, this is pretty close to what most reeds should be, so I ordered a pack to experiment with.    When the pack came, it was actually .008", which is too thick.  

I talked to Mico Mark, and they called the manufacturer, who told them that the .006" is not going to be available, so they shipped them .008  So, if anyone is considering ordering this product, Part number 83100, be advised that it is really .008".

I decided to cut out a reed, and I started sanding the thickness, and blowing the reed.  When I got to almost .006, I got a pretty good sounding reed.  It took a long time with my sanding wand, but it worked, and left me with a pad that is .008".  

If anyone can recommend a quick method of cutting .008" Phosphor Bronze, and also for taking off .002" in thickness,  without a huge investment in metalworking tools, I would appreciate it.  

Harvey Berman