[Harp-L] Re: Harp-L Digest, Vol 54, Issue 81

["rick epping" <rickepping@xxxxxxxxx>]

I like to use rounded toothpicks to fill nail holes.  When doing a job on a
harp I'll take a sufficient quantity of them and snip them in half.  The
resulting half toothpick is easy to tap lightly into a nail hole with a
hammer.  Then an Exacto knife can be used to make a shallow cut on the
toothpick flush with the comb surface so that the toothpick can be snapped
off cleanly.  Two spring clamps, placed either end, are then used to hold
both reedplates and the comb together in position while the nails are
hammered in.  Alternatively, two nail holes can be left unfilled so
that nails, set halfway in only, can be used to position the plate on the
comb while the filled holes are nailed.  Then the two positioning nails are
removed, trimmed toothpicks are forced through the reedplate nail holes and
the last two nails are replaced.

Hammering in round toothpicks this way will completely fill the nail holes,
giving the nails a secure bed to lie in.  Care must be taken, however, not
to hammer them in too far, as the nail might then subsequently split the
comb.

Best,
Rick

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Message: 6
Date: Sat, 23 Feb 2008 03:49:38 -0800 (PST)
From: maynard silva <kingalleycat@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] re. nails.nails.nails
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Message-ID: <153063.15567.qm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
love 'em, don't forget to pack flat toothpicks, for shim,. you don't need
glue, just a little piece of pick for packing.
 toothpicks are also good for quick cleaning and probe work in the field,
and a good way to protect your harp from it's #1 enemy. ( you ) by a quick
cleaning of your mouth before a show.
 in the old days, children, you saved the nails when you scrapped an old
harp, and never forgot the toothpicks.  m