Matt Smart writes:
> I am about to attempt to solder reeds to make a low C. I
have never
> soldered before. I usually just file the reeds. Can
anyone offer
> tips/instructions? thanks
Matt and all, I tried soldering and even though I have a good
deal of
experience in soldering electronics and jewelry, discarded it in
favor of
Pat Missin's preferred method: brass powder mixed with an epoxy
resin into a
paste. The trick is finding the brass powder, as the techique is
not only
very easy and convenient to use but it has many other desireable
attributes.
I can place the right amount of paste more precisely and I have
much better
control when sanding it as I tune the reed than I do with
solder. It's also
very convenient in the sense that if you don't like your result,
you can
gingerly flick the chunk of hardened brass powder/epoxy mixture
right off
the reed with an Exacto knife, leaving a perfectly clean and
undamaged reed
surface. There's also the advantage of not having to use heat
that may or
may not effect the temper of the reed. Very reed-friendly by any
comparisonwith soldering.
Check out Pat's "Altered States" web site for the details, And
Oh, yeah. You
can find brass powder at sculptor supply houses. A little jar of
it runs a
few bucks and it will go a long way, enabling you to non-
destructively tune
a virtually unlimited number of reeds.
Works for me. And Pat Missin. ;^)
Michelle
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