Re: [Harp-L] Re TUNing Reeds

[Joel Fritz <williemctell@xxxxxxxxx>]

I was a heat treater for nearly fifteen years so I do have a little 
experience with copper alloys.  I believe that the oil kept the reeds 
from oxidizing.  Since oil flashes at around 450 F (plus or minus 
depending on the oil) I would imagine the temperature would have to  be 
lower than that.  At temperatures around 400 F you could stress relieve 
the brass.  Given the thin section, the time at temperature wouldn't be 
too great.  600 F is a ball park temperature for annealing copper alloys 
although the effect is really stress relief rather than the change in 
the crystal structure you get when annealing steel. Lower temperatures 
take longer. Certainly you don't want to remove the increased hardness 
resulting from work hardening in forming.  As far as stability is 
concerned, I wouldn't doubt that stress relieving the reeds would make 
them less likely to do weird things if they were filed, ground etc.   
I'm curious how much movement you'd get in reeds from filing or grinding 
them a bit though.

You'd have to degrease the reeds after the hot oil.   I'd recommend 
letting the oil get down to nearly room temperature before removing the 
reeds.

As far as tuning is concerned, I'd guess no effect.

On 5/21/2012 2:40 PM, Jerry Deall wrote:
> If I remember correctly, Chris Michalek used to "temper" (his word) reed plates in the oven in oil before he worked on them. he said it made them more stable, but that was then.......
>
>
> Thanks Jerry,
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Winslow Yerxa"<winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 3:22:47 PM
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Re TUNing Reeds
>
> Did your friend say why this was a good idea?
>
> I don't know anyone who does this. The heat from the oil would have no beneficial effect, and the oil itself would simply gum things up.
>
> One thing that some folks do while tuning is to keep the reedplates that they're working on in a warming blanket. This keeps condensation from forming on the reeds when you play them and makes it easier to tune accurately without the added weight of moisture.
>
> Winslow
>
>
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> ________________________________
> From: Rubben Emmanuelli<comunadesantos@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Monday, May 21, 2012 6:09 AM
> Subject: [Harp-L] Re TUNing Reeds
>
> A friend of mine..told me that i should try, to heat the reeds of an
> harmonica in hot oil, He thinks that will retune then east and automatic
>
> Crazy Idea?? What would You think?