[Harp-L] Subject: Re: {Harp-L] valve problems! need help!

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Isaac....way back before Vern's proprietary method of compressing and  
heating ultrasuede, I posted links to obtaining very inexpensive or even free  
samples of ultrasuede either here on harp-l or onto Slidemeister (I honestly  
forget which) since the subject was a much discussed one after PT  Gazell 
first talked about his use of ultrasuede to half-valve  diatonics.
 
I did a Google search for Ultrasuede at the time, ending up not  cutting my 
own windsavers since I had bought Bill Romel's self-stick thermapore  
ones...enough to last me for quite some time.  However I will probably try  my 
hand at doing so at some point.
 
Really appreciate Michelle's chiming in today with her advice re the rotary 
 cutter...since that was one of the reasons I didn't cut my own at the 
time..the  torqueing of the fabric when I attempted my first one (with 
scissors). A rotary  cutter is on my list...along with a self-healing mat. (Martha 
Stewart has long  touted the use of one of those for cutting and crafts..they 
come in many  different sizes).  Here's a fairly small/average size one more 
than  suitable for cutting windsavers:
 
_http://www.cutting-mats.net/cutting-mats-1060.html_ 
(http://www.cutting-mats.net/cutting-mats-1060.html) 
 
and a rotary cutter:
 
_http://www.cutting-mats.net/5057.html_ 
(http://www.cutting-mats.net/5057.html) 
 
another site:
 
_http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount-art-supplies/Mat-and-Paper-Cutters/C
reative-Mark-Self-Healing-Cutting-Mats.htm_ 
(http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount-art-supplies/Mat-and-Paper-Cutters/Creative-Mark-Self-Healing-Cuttin
g-Mats.htm) 
 
or its tiny url:
 
http://tinyurl.com/yle5r4z


You can do the same kind of search for ultrasuede, depending upon where  
you're located. What will come up are fabric companies or stores such as 
Joann's  here in the US carrying samples ranging from garment weight to the 
heaviest of  upholstery weights (all made from Ultrasuede or other similar faux 
suede  fabrics). If you can find a store selling a small piece (half or 
quarter of a  yard or so, or a remnant..you're already ahead of the game).
 
I remember at the time for something around $6.00 I'd gotten enough  
swatches of different weights of ultrasuede to have cut chromatic valves  
from...to be able to valve nearly every chromatic I own....definitely  
cost-effective, although I wasn't sure which 'weight' to use at the  time.  Of course, 
the cost of the samples change from company to company.  Some will send you a 
single swatch (or two) for free if you're planning a larger  yardage 
purchase....some will send samples only to design professionals.
 
 
Many of the same companies are now making something called  
ultra-leather...in differing weights which are beginning to intrigue me since  they have a 
fabric coating on the underside. I might just get some swatches of  those to 
experiment with as well since the less porous exterior would seem to  then 
obviate the need for compression...so might be worth looking  into.
 
 Here are a couple of links to ultrasuede, but you can explore  further 
from there, do a google search for your own area, see if any of the  online 
companies will ship for free (or at least inexpensively) to where  you live:
 
_http://www.fieldsfabrics.com/ultra/shopping/sampleset.htm_ 
(http://www.fieldsfabrics.com/ultra/shopping/sampleset.htm) 
 
_http://www.ultrasuede.com/where_to_buy/index.html_ 
(http://www.ultrasuede.com/where_to_buy/index.html) 

 
As far as waterproofing -  Scotchguard or a newer product: NikWax  
(supposedly more environmentally friendly but still not to be used indoors  because 
of its potential to damage one's lungs) is probably simple enough...and  as 
far as compression with heat...what could be easier (for fabric such as  
ultrasuede) than an iron, remembering to always press through a cloth (I use a  
linen dish towel no matter what I iron). I'd iron first THEN waterproof 
(you  don't want the heat to release any potentially toxic fumes you might then 
 inhale) ...but frankly I'd probably not use a waterproofing material 
inside  my own chromatics depending on the stiffness of the fabric. 
 
The MAAS polish I've long suggested as a terrific cleaner for other musical 
 instruments, jewelry and especially nice for harmonicas, is designed to 
leave  behind a very thin protective film (after buffing) if you don't do a 
last  wipe-down with rubbing alcohol....(I will use the alcohol for a  last 
wipedown on the mouthpiece and outside cover plates but leave the  MAAS buffed 
on the inside) which seems to help prevent tarnishing and  give that same 
beading up response one gets with wax. I'm personally more  comfortable with 
this polish since it was specifically developed to be less  toxic than other 
metal/jewelry polishes then on the market, and would seem to me  to be less 
toxic than a floor wax...but that's just my opinion. Your  mileage may vary.
 
BTW there's something else to consider other than waterproofing the  
ultrasuede. I'm thinking one could 'starch' the fabric before cutting, either  
with a presoak or with use of an iron-on spray.  There's nothing toxic in  
starch as far as I know since there are even food-grade versions  available..and 
could possibly make the whole process much simpler to my  mind.
 
Elizabeth