Re: Re: [Harp-L] polishing reeds

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

A simple sanding detailer - a plastic tensioned wand with a band of fine sandpaper around it - will both tune and polish in a single action. Not mirror-smooth, mind you, but frankly I doubt that such a smooth surface offers any benefit in terms of reed longevity.

Sanding detailers can be had in sets of four (different colors with different grits of sandpaper) for under $20. No electrical power requirements, can be carried anywhere you can carry a pencil (and that probably includes commercial airplane flights, as a sanding detailer has no hard or sharp edges).

Winslow

Winslow Yerxa
Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5


--- On Sat, 9/27/08, Vern Smith <jevern@xxxxxxx> wrote:

> From: Vern Smith <jevern@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: Re: [Harp-L] polishing reeds
> To: glenlabb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Date: Saturday, September 27, 2008, 11:22 AM
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: <glenlabb@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Saturday, September 27, 2008 9:17 AM
> Subject: Re: Re: [Harp-L] polishing reeds
> 
> 
> > John Kerkhoven wrote:
> >> What do you use to do the polishing? You don't
> want to be
> >> de-tuning the reed at the same time.
> > Oh, but you'll be SERIOUSLY detuning the reed. 
> Just be prepared to
> > retune afterwards.
> > -tim
> >
> >  But, won't you have to scratch the reed to
> re-tune, then polish out the 
> > new scratches, re-tune, re-polish, re-tune, etc, etc? 
> Where does it all 
> > end.  With a weaker reed????  Or ... can you polish
> the end of the reed or 
> > the near the revet (or weld) to re-tune the reed after
> the initial 
> > polishing.  Just wondering.
> 
> I think that your concerns are well founded,  IF it
> ain't broke, don't fix 
> it.
> 
> I would not polish a reed unless it needs tuning.  The
> tuning scratches made 
> by the factory are usually at a small angle with respect to
> the reed axis. 
> These scratches affect stress concentration in proportion
> to the sine of the 
> angle.   A scratch at 90 deg with respect to the reed axis
> is the worst 
> case.  A scratch at 45 deg is 70% as bad, at 30 deg is 50%
> as bad, at 15 deg 
> is 25% as bad and a scratch parallel to the reed axis would
> not introduce 
> any stress concentration at all.
> 
> Years ago, Mike Easton introduced me to a tuning tool that
> leaves a shiny, 
> polished surface.  It is a little wheel of fine abrasive in
> a rubber matrix 
> called a "Shofu Brownie"  They are used to polish
> metal dental appliances 
> such as crowns and bridges.  See 
> https://www.net32.com/ec/brownie-prepolish-hp-wh6-square-edge-wheel-d-41004
> 
> They have 3/32" shanks and fit nicely in the little
> motorized spindles used 
> to shape fingernails.  A Dremel spindle is, IMO, overkill
> for tuning.
> 
> I prefer a Microlux spindle like MicroMark 
> http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=15230
> It is about $115 including the DC power supply to make it
> go and shipping..
> 
> I have a little nail file spindle powered by a single AA
> cell from Walmart 
> for about $15.  It works OK in a traveling repair kit. With
> some patience, 
> it will get the job done and there is little danger that
> you will injure a 
> reed.  However, it lacks torque and stalls easily.  You
> pays your money and 
> you takes your choice.   ;o)
> 
> Vern
> Visit my harmonica website www.Hands-Free-Chromatic.7p.com
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> >
> > Glenn
> > -------------- Original message from "Tim
> Moyer" 
> > <wmharps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>: -------------- 
> >
> >
> >> John Kerkhoven wrote:
> >> > What do you use to do the polishing? You
> don't want to be
> >> > de-tuning the reed at the same time.
> >>
> >> Oh, but you'll be SERIOUSLY detuning the reed.
> Just be prepared to
> >> retune afterwards.
> >>
> >> -tim
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> >> Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
> >> http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l
> > _______________________________________________
> > Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> > Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
> > http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l