Saxophones Buescher True Tone 1926 C melody sax possible to play without repad?

[Woodpad]

I don’t know if anyone else has your model laying around. This one I have all the snaps have been removed. There’s a chance I could build this along with you step-by-step. Anyone out there have a project with snaps ?
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I have a Buescher C-mel stencil from 1927 also without snaps and it wil take some years before it becomes a project

 

[mizmar]

Has no one mentioned the spring hooks.
Won't eliminate spring sticks; but very convenient

MusicMedic.com Double-Sided Spring Hook in Case

High quality double sided steel spring hook with a textured steel grip. Each end of the hook is grooved for pushing needle springs into place and hooked for pulling springs onto cradles. Comes in a handy carrying case. The Small Tip Double Sided Spring Hook is made to get in between keys and...

www.musicmedic.com

Indeed, the thread of me jumping and falling down the repad it hole may be of interest

Tech/maintenance - Replacing corks and felts; basics?

Ok, so the scruffy sax (Vito yts 23ish) occasionally sheds bits of cork or felt; it's an age thing, I guess. I've done some running repairs with whatever sticky/padded stuff I've had to hand; but now the situation is not brilliant with - otherwise apparently good - pads not closing properly and...

cafesaxophone.com

Including fabulous input from the collective

 

[LostCircuits]

Has no one mentioned the spring hooks.
Won't eliminate spring sticks; but very convenient

MusicMedic.com Double-Sided Spring Hook in Case

High quality double sided steel spring hook with a textured steel grip. Each end of the hook is grooved for pushing needle springs into place and hooked for pulling springs onto cradles. Comes in a handy carrying case. The Small Tip Double Sided Spring Hook is made to get in between keys and...

www.musicmedic.com

Indeed, the thread of me jumping and falling down the repad it hole may be of interest

Tech/maintenance - Replacing corks and felts; basics?

Ok, so the scruffy sax (Vito yts 23ish) occasionally sheds bits of cork or felt; it's an age thing, I guess. I've done some running repairs with whatever sticky/padded stuff I've had to hand; but now the situation is not brilliant with - otherwise apparently good - pads not closing properly and...

cafesaxophone.com

Including fabulous input from the collective

I am just using a crochet needle or sometimes a Q-tip broken in half, no big deal if I lose one, they are 500 pieces for $3.95

 

[Ghr9204]

I think it was even @PigSquealer recently mentioned that one can modify a metal crocheting needle to use as a spring setting / unsetting tool. Those are inexpensive.

 

[LostCircuits]

I think it was even @PigSquealer recently mentioned that one can modify a metal crocheting needle to use as a spring setting / unsetting tool. Those are inexpensive.

I don't modify them, I just use them as they come.

 

[Ghr9204]

I don't modify them, I just use them as they come.

Oh, I can see why he might. He's a pro, time is money. You and I can take our time.

To make it more effective to grasp a spring, I can see tweaking it to remove the flashing and deepening the hook curvature so it quickly grapples the spring. A quick turn around means more instruments in and out to stay in business.

 

[PigSquealer]

Has no one mentioned the spring hooks.

See post #85

 

[PigSquealer]

Oh, I can see why he might. He's a pro, time is money. You and I can take our time.

To make it more effective to grasp a spring, I can see tweaking it to remove the flashing and deepening the hook curvature so it quickly grapples the spring. A quick turn around means more instruments in and out to stay in business.

I actually have several different spring hooks. Some bought, some DIY. A Buescher C mel is reasonably easy to reach the springs with a basic tool.

 

[PigSquealer]

Indeed, the thread of me jumping and falling down the repad it hole may be of interest

Time to do and quit thinking….someday. Penelope has one in the planning stages. I showed my option. Time for you to get off your Duff and engage 😉 .
Just imagine across the globe. Group posting of everyone working on a “close too” project. What a awesome thread that will be.

A thread like this is well worth making a support contribution to the site to keep it alive.

 

[PigSquealer]

I have a Buescher C-mel stencil from 1927 also without snaps and it wil take some years before it becomes a project

No time like NOW ! We’re not getting any younger. If nothing else get it prepared for pads. This will cost very little to nothing.

 

[Ghr9204]

I actually have several different spring hooks. Some bought, some DIY. A Buescher C mel is reasonably easy to reach the springs with a basic tool.

I snuck into my wife's crocheting bag while she wasn't looking and "borrowed" her crocheting needles, worked really good in handling the peskiest wire/needle springs on my bari and tenor.

 

[LostCircuits]

I snuck into my wife's crocheting bag while she wasn't looking and "borrowed" her crocheting needles, worked really good in handling the peskiest wire/needle springs on my bari and tenor.

Noo, you really did that? And then she said what? Noo,,, are you kidding me? She did not, did she really? 😛

(cell phone) jabbering aside, a few weeks ago at a jam, one of the players had a disengaged spring and a fallen off cork. I had a remnant of MM Valentino cork but no tools. But I got a toothpick from the bartender that I was able to use for the spring and to mount the cork. It's not what tools you have but how proficient you are in using them.

That's a retired eye and brain surgeon speaking

 

[Woodpad]

No time like NOW ! We’re not getting any younger. If nothing else get it prepared for pads. This will cost very little to nothing.

Now I have to teach analytical regression methods and have to prepare for the new year concert this sundayc as back up bari. After that I have 10 saxophone prijects, now working on a van Hall tenor which sound still improves every day. The C-mel is already checked and oiled and will probably become a project when my industrial made pads are ready.
Yes I do enjoy the present but I dont want to splash my planning horizon over this year.

 

[turf3]

For spring tools, I have these:

1) For a hook, I modify a paper clip - straighten it out, use small wire cutters to form a tiny hook on the end. Smaller than a crochet hook and easier to slip in between machinery.

2) For a pusher, I have a very small screwdriver that I once modified to tension a camera shutter, by making a notch right in the middle of the blade.

3)) I also often use an ordinary small screwdriver (sax screw size) as a pusher - you can tilt and rotate the blade this way and that to steer the spring where you need it to go.

I'd say that I push springs into/out of place about 10X as frequently as I need to hook and pull them; but certainly there are times when you simply must have a hook. In my experience if the room to operate is so small that you need a hook, it's so small that you'll want the smallest hook you can get, thus the paper clip.

 

[mizmar]

Time for you to get off your Duff and engage 😉

Just to be clear - in my repad thread I was cautious about the whole thing because I know myself better than anyone posting on the web. I did complete the repad etc. so I mentioned it to be supportive; and - wrt springs tools etc. - I decided to buy the musicmedic starter kit, as pricy as it is, to be sure of having the bits available; which experienced people might take for granted. So, a useful contribution.. from the comfort of my own Duff 🙂

 

[PenelopeTX]

For spring tools, I have these:

1) For a hook, I modify a paper clip - straighten it out, use small wire cutters to form a tiny hook on the end. Smaller than a crochet hook and easier to slip in between machinery.

2) For a pusher, I have a very small screwdriver that I once modified to tension a camera shutter, by making a notch right in the middle of the blade.

3)) I also often use an ordinary small screwdriver (sax screw size) as a pusher - you can tilt and rotate the blade this way and that to steer the spring where you need it to go.

I'd say that I push springs into/out of place about 10X as frequently as I need to hook and pull them; but certainly there are times when you simply must have a hook. In my experience if the room to operate is so small that you need a hook, it's so small that you'll want the smallest hook you can get, thus the paper clip.

Oddly, I have knitting needles but no crochet needles so I'll try this paper clip modification.

I have some Feerree's Snap-On-Pads (metal back) Buescher original style. Let me know if you want some. You need to mesure up the keycups. The thickness of the pads are 4.0 mm or a little bit thicker. I have over the years listen to lots of great Texas Rock & Roll Saxophonists. So some kind of payback .... .

Thank you. Once I get this thing apart, I will measure everything. I'm hoping most of my pads are okay. I know at least one is in bad shape (tear in leather). Will definitely take pictures. I was once banned from using power tools because I sawed through the electrical cord of a circular saw with the circular saw itself. That was a decade ago and I'd like to think I've learned to be more careful and patient now. All that to say, I'll take as many precautions as possible and work slowly.

Make a parts card.
Take a picture. Print on your copier and glue it to cardboard. That part comes off stick it into the cardboard at location.
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As mentioned above. Do take lots of pictures pre-disassembly. It’s like a jigsaw puzzle. When you get stuck you can look at the picture on the box. It only goes together one way. The Pearl touches are great clues.
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Brilliant. Will work on making this today. Thank you!


The brilliance and resourcefulness in this group is very impressive. Thanks everyone for your kindness in sharing your knowledge/advice. What seemed like an absolute impossibility now feels achievable.

 

[Ghr9204]

Noo, you really did that? And then she said what? Noo,,, are you kidding me? She did not, did she really? 😛

Oh, I didn't want to wind up in the doghouse . (All married men know about that. 😳 ) I only did it once, then shortly after went to a department store and bought a cheap metal set. (Mancave talk - Why's there crocheting needles in your toolbox? Reply: Oh, you didn't know I knit?)

(cell phone) jabbering aside, a few weeks ago at a jam, one of the players had a disengaged spring and a fallen off cork. I had a remnant of MM Valentino cork but no tools. But I got a toothpick from the bartender that I was able to use for the spring and to mount the cork. It's not what tools you have but how proficient you are in using them.

Having tools available helps. I have a small set of Jeweler's screwdrivers in my case. At the Community Band rehearsal, one of our female saxophonists had a long keywork screw almost backed out. Between numbers, I tightened that for her.

Had a shellac'd upper B pad pop loose during rehearsal on my Vito Tenor. Went to the bandroom teacher's office and made a loop of clear tape to reattach the loose pad in its cup. Allowed me to finish rehearsal. Also happened whilst Salvation Army donation kettle bell ringing on my Selmer Bundy II alto at a department store front. I went to my parked vehicle, cut and looped a piece of electrical tape from my toolbox, reattached the pad to its cup and kept bell ringing. At home, reglued the loose pad.

That's a retired eye and brain surgeon speaking

 

[PenelopeTX]

Just use your common sense. Everyone has different luck with gloves, I generally don't use them on fine work, because it interferes with my hands. Those points easily penetrate gloves anyway. The straight needle tipped springs, just be careful around them.

If you have never disassembled saxophone keywork, before you take a dive into purchasing pads and the accessories, if you have a jeweler's screwdriver set, you can try removing a screw or two, then put it back in.

This will also help you to assess whether such screws are corroded to the extent where they can or cannot be removed. Above all, use the proper width jeweler screwdriver that is the width of the screw head slot, to prevent from damaging the screw head slot surfaces. In general, the hinge screws are of a softer steel, IMO like grade 1 or 2, not hardened like grade 5, or grade 8 used in automotive engines.

Because the keys are interwoven amongst each other in certain places, I've had to remove up to say, a half dozen hinge screws. It is not difficult but tedious. There should be no reason to bent key/pad work to remove or get things to fit.

Every person differs in their ability to take stuff apart and then get it properly put back together again. Getting the key/pad work back together again, in some cases requires considerable patience. I've had to even take a breather and step away, tackle it when I am ready, again.

(Pet and feed the cat, water plants, check the mail, do a little gardening, go shopping, call someone, etc. I no longer have pets, but I think you know what I mean. And, your cat has a rather serious look on its face through its cute hazel green eyes. - Do you really want to do this? Rub my tummy and I'll let you know. )

Not saying do not try, but like I said, a little experimentation first to get familiar would be helpful before you take the dive. Then you'll know if it would be more prudent to seek a skilled technician for this work.

The Wera screwdrivers finally arrive today so I'll try this with a screw and see how it goes. Thank you.

 

[LostCircuits]

The Wera screwdrivers finally arrive today so I'll try this with a screw and see how it goes. Thank you.

Just remember it's a rotary motion for screws, you don't need a hammer! Righty tighty, lefty loosey!
(sorry I couldn't help)

Oddly, I have knitting needles but no crochet needles so I'll try this paper clip modification.

I've used paper clips, they work just fine.

Brilliant. Will work on making this today. Thank you!

I have a sheet of styrofoam and I just used a permanent marker to trace the contours of the instrument in both orientations. A printed photograph is better as long as you can scale it to the original size.

Bottom line is use your imagination, chop sticks, wire hangers, you'll be surprised how many things you already have in your house

 

[Colin the Bear]

Spring hooks are for sale on eBay priced around £10.

The exact same tool is in the angling section described as a disgorger, (hook remover) 2 for £4.99.

Beware of imposters.