Tech/maintenance SHWoodwind Updates

[nigeld]

Looks as if someone has poured thick gold paint all over it.
I presume that somebody somewhere must think it is pretty.

 

[Ivan]

This time it's in the Handy Hints section; How to deal with green spots (verdigris) by mechanical or chemical means.

Is it necessary to neutralise the acid you use to clean away verdigris? What would be the consequences if not done?

 

[Stephen Howard]

Is it necessary to neutralise the acid you use to clean away verdigris? What would be the consequences if not done?

I found that simply wiping off the acid with a dry cloth followed by a wet one did the trick - but without having any litmus paper to hand I resorted to licking the sax to see if tasted acidic. Didn't seem to - so I'd assume any residue would be no more acidic than the usual stuff that accumulates from handling the horn.

If you didn't clean the acid off it would continue to tarnish the brass until such times as it ran out of steam...which wouldn't be long. It wouldn't do much more than that, given that it's quite weak.
It's a good question though (ta!), and one I should have had a certified answer to rather than an empirical one...so I'll set up some test strips tomorrow and see what happens.

 

[Stephen Howard]

I've set this test up in response to Ivan's query.

The three sections of this bell have been treated twice with acid over a 10 minute period.
Section ++ was left as is, section + was wiped with a dry tissue and section - was wiped twice with a wet tissue and then once with a dry one.

And now I'll just let it all sit there for as long as it takes for me to conclude that nothing is happening (which is what I expect to find...though you never know until you try).

 

[rhysonsax]

..... without having any litmus paper to hand I resorted to licking the sax to see if tasted acidic ....

That reminds me of my science lessons at school aged about 12 (mid 1970s). For some reason that escapes me at the moment, I poured strong acid over the cover of my science exercise book and used to lick the discoloured patch in lessons thereafter.

Didn't seem to do me any harm.

We also:

• removed bunsen burner hoses from the gas taps and lit the gas coming out, causing horizontal flames about two feet long
• released all the locusts from their tank in the science room
• had never heard of risk assessments
• enjoyed science in a way current school children are unlikely to

Rhys

 

[Dibbs]

That sounds exactly like my schooldays.

 

[Targa]

Mid sixties, ammonium sulphide was dribbled behind the radiators in the school hall. An hour later as the hall was filled and the smell started to spread and coughing grew louder the recording of Top of the Form between that school and one in Australia was brought to a halt.

 

[TimboSax]

We once blew up a substitute Chemistry teacher in the early 80s. 10 years later my cousin went to the same school, and I was pleasantly surprised to hear that the scorch marks were still on the chemistry lab ceiling.

 

[Ivan]

Nitrogen triiodide filtered out, then dried on the radiator

Lots of mini explosions around the chemistry lab

 

[vries1]

I would feel extremely uncomfortable if my kids did the things I did as a kid.

 

[Ivan]

I would feel extremely uncomfortable if my kids did the things I did as a kid.

They probably did/do, but they don't let on

 

[saxyjt]

It's funny you mention that, but I was a tool show the other day and had a look at a couple of portable endoscopes (or whatever the plumber's/engineer's version is called). They were a bit bulky for my purposes...and fiendishly expensive - but it did make me wonder whether such a device would come in handy. It's sometimes the case that a leak can be better seen from inside the bore rather than outside.
There's bound to be a cheapo-Chinese version out there somewhere.

I dug that one out from over a year ago (october 18) as I'm considering trying out one of those endoscopes that are available on amazon and appear to have rather good ratings.

Also, one of my mates told me our local woodwind repairer uses something like that.

It also sounds like a potentially good investment to check the inside of my baritone and the now hidden parts of my studio's heating system... I'm curious to see what may have grown or elected home in hot air ventilated parts.

 

[kevgermany]

Last endoscope I came across was under anaesthetic.😱

Fortunately.

 

[jbtsax]

Me too. Your post made me suddenly understand why it is named an END-o-scope. 🙂

It is interesting that this discussion came up at this time. Last week I purchased an endoscope from Amazon to check the interior of a baritone mouthpiece I modified for a friend who teaches low brass and has a student with a severe "underbite". With the app it is used with you can also take a snapshot or make a video. I'm thinking about making a video of what a soundwave "sees" as it travels through the inside of a saxophone,

 

[saxyjt]

Ordered!

At 24€, I'm not taking a huge risk. And if for some reason it's really bad, I can always send it back!

 

[saxyjt]

I was excited to come home and collect my new toy tonight, but the delivery man decided otherwise and left my toy a mile away from the requested collection point, but most tragically, a shop that closed its doors about 10 minutes before I showed up!

I had to explain to Amazon that I'd rather have a slow delivery to the address I choose than a quick one to the wrong address.

I have a perfect collection point, that's open late, a walking distance from home and they even have a frequently usable parking spot although it's not really legit... But hey, we're in France so if we did things by the book, we'd be 'not French' !

Anyways, another one should be on its way to the right address soon and my earlier order cancelled, although it's not yet. So I'll let you know when I have finally managed to get my hands on the new toy.

 

[Karolis]

Just wanted to give my thanks to Stephen Howard for the Sugru key riser idea.

Custom key risers

Making and fitting custom key risers

www.shwoodwind.co.uk

Here is my take on it:

The palm keys have been bothering me for a while . This improved matters greatly.

 

[rhysonsax]

Just wanted to give my thanks to Stephen Howard for the Sugru key riser idea.

Custom key risers

Making and fitting custom key risers

www.shwoodwind.co.uk

Here is my take on it:
View attachment 14209

The palm keys have been bothering me for a while . This improved matters greatly.

Colour-coded so you can remember which key is which note ?

Rhys

 

[Karolis]

Colour-coded so you can remember which key is which note ?

Yes, it reminded me of A.Scriabin russian classical composer who used colour codes for different tonality. Interesting concept....

I didn't want them to be black. Earthly colours suits the old gal better...

 

[Targa]

Colour-coded so you can remember which key is which note ?

Rhys

So he doesn't have to think paints his fingernails to match.