Re: [Harp-L] Custom American Chestnut harmonicas (David Payne)

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

David Payne gave you the best idea.  For "good old-fashioned 
SS" there is the "good old fashioned twist drill and drill 
press."  Oil-emilsion coolant or oil keeps the bit cool 
while drilling.

Having an un-drilled metal comb gives you another option. 
Instead of using the long screws that reach through to the 
opposite reedplate or the opposite cover nut, you can tap 
(cut screw threads in) the holes and use short screws for 
both the reedplates and the covers.  I suggest a #50 tap 
drill and a 2-56 tap and screws.  All are available from 
McMaster Carr http://www.mcmaster.com/  The drill bit, tap, 
tap handle and SS screws will probably cost about $40. 
OR...any competent harmonica tech can do the work for you.

The advantage is that when you wish to work on the reeds to 
tune, gap, or replace them you can remove one cover and one 
reedplate without the opposite ones falling off.  Also, with 
steel screws and threads, you can really crank down on the 
screws without danger of stripping the threads. Admittedly, 
this advantage is more important on a chromatic harp than on 
a diatonic harp.

Because you have gone to a lot of cost and trouble to have 
the strongest and most stable comb, and you might wish to go 
"all the way" with tapped screw holes.

Vern


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "geoff atkins" <geoffatkins@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, June 08, 2009 11:04 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Custom American Chestnut harmonicas (David 
Payne)


> Hi David
> Joking aside, I've just had a dozen 6mm thick combs 
> laser-cut from good
> old-fashioned autoclave-able stainless steel. Problem is 
> getting them
> drilled, lasers can't "drill" small diameters. Any 
> suggestions?
>
> Geoff Atkins
>
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