Locating a leak light

[photoman]

As mentioned previously I am a long way from the saxophone store, but I'm in need of a leak light. Can someone advise me on where to look for one?

I'm not too far from some of the shed stores, Homebase, MFI etc. would that be the right place to go and what exactly am I looking for, as I don't think they'll call it a leak light.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[aaronrod]

If you can't find an actual leak light, a small string of Christmas lights in a dark room works really well, so long as you're careful when pulling them out (you don't want to lose a bulb if it snags on a tone hole). As a bonus, they will be incredibly cheap in about 3 weeks. 🙂

A flexible music stand light or reading light with a small head can also work. (Try searching on amazon, and you'll see what I mean.)

 

[Colin the Bear]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/saxophone...Instruments&hash=item2c77f4f073#ht_110wt_1383

 

[photoman]

Thanks Colin and Aaronrod.

I have the Christmas tree lights - they'll be on the tree at the weekend - so if all else fails I'll test the sax for leaks after 5th January!

I'm hoping to avoid mail order (eBay etc) and pick something up at one of the hardware stores I'll be close to at the weekend when out Christmas shopping.

 

[kevgermany]

Xmas tree lights are rather weak. Jbtsax posted instructions on how to make not too long ago. You can find them on eBay. Mine has a series of powerful leds on a copper strip, works well but I'm forever fixing it as the strip keeps breaking. Simplest home made is a car indicator bulb soldered to about 4' wire connected to a 12V battery pack, be careful as they get hot.

 

[griff136]

Photoman, you can make one really easily. all you need is a mobile phone charger plug,http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-12w-linear-acdc-multi-voltage-power-supply-l82bf some cable - doorbell or speaker cable will do, an indicator bulb from a car (12v 4w) http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/12v-340ma-mcc-tubular-r10-bulb-bt84f and the socket the bulb goes in.http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/12v-340ma-mcc-tubular-r10-bulb-bt84f

Cut the end off the charger, solder or join the cable to the charger - make it long enough to fit down a tenor body tube, solder or join the bulb holed to the other end. I'd also use some shrink tubing, to cover the expose metal parts on the joins and the bulb holder.

 

[Colin the Bear]

If you want to make one you may find these of some useful.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb...ip+lights,aps,162&rh=i:aps,k:car strip lights

 

[altissimo]

here's an older thread on the subject - http://cafesaxophone.com/community/threads/detect-a-leak-and-make-leak-light.3957/

 

[photoman]

Thanks for all the heplful replies guys - much appreciated as always. I'll report back if I find or make one soon!

Stephen

 

[jonf]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/saxophone...Instruments&hash=item2c77f4f073#ht_110wt_1383

A1. I bought one of these from this very seller a couple of years ago. Brilliant bit of kit, robust, effective and cheap. So cheap I wouldn't even bother making one up. I've got a garage full of old ***t which could be used to make one easily enough, and sufficient soldering skills, but at that price I just couldn't be bothered.

 

[phooesnax]

Rope lights work in a pinch as really good for bari....remove d# and in it goes...no worries about snagging wither. FL real leak lights are much better but when you are stuck.

 

[Steve Marshall]

Yeah it's white rope light that is used. You need to check how short you can cut it to and make sure the end is sealed as you can get a shock if it isn't sealed with a cap.
The Ebay leak lights work out reasonably and are the right sort of length. They don't last forever in my experience. I've been through half a dozen in the last couple of years. The problem is the wire becomes brittle and starts to crack. That causes sparking which ends up with a short. So whilst they are meant to flexible, try and bend them as little as possible and they might last a little longer.