Subject: [Harp-L] Reed Slot Tolerance

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Bob:  Far as I know, those who use the little metal  pieces removed from 
those magnetic security strips ...were using them  as shims to support the 
reeds while working on them (so they don't bend down  into the slot or lose 
their natural shape)...not specifically to 'debur' the  sides of the reed slot.
 
 At least that was my understanding from those writing about the  practice 
on Slidemeister...if memory serves the first person who told me about  them 
was SmoJoe, but for all I know they're now multi-purpose.  Great  little 
tools to find and use..and free!  Previously, people used to talk  about the 
use of copper pennies to debur or work on the edges of reed  slots...nothing 
high-tech there either.
 
 
..I guess I assumed Bill was using the metal strips as reed support  
shims...he did have a few in his kit at GSHC (spent a lot of time working on my  
Super 64 there....very kind of him).  I never thought of using them as  
'deburrers'.
 
Elizabeth
 
"Message: 12
Date: Thu, 3 Dec 2009 12:50:12 -0500
From: Robert  Coble <robertpcoble@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] Reed Slot  Tolerance
To: Harp-L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>


I know I have seen  several references to using a 0.001" shim to run down 
the sides of a reed to  make sure there are no burrs on the edge and also 
that the reed is seated in the  middle of the slot.

Would this not imply that the normal  clearance/tolerance between reed edge 
and reedplate edge is 0.001"? If so, then  the manufacturing tolerance 
obviously is not impossible to obtain with  hobbyist-level tools, which have at 
least that capability (on paper, if not in  fact). If the tolerance is 
smaller, then wouldn't using a 0.001" shim cause some  sort of misalignment or 
deformation?

My tool of choice for deburring the  edges of reeds in the slot is to use 
one of those little magnetic security  strips. I owe my introduction to that 
tool source to Mr. Bill Price, who is  always a joy to be around at the VA 
Harmonica Fest, regardless of whether he's  playing some instrument (he's 
multi-instrument talented) or working on making a  harmonica work better.

Help, please,
Crazy  Bob