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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