The CaféSaxophone saxophone

[sizzzzler]

Wherever the meeting is down south, I’d like to come if I can try out the tenor. I’m in the market for a new one.

 

[Stephen Howard]

Maybe @Stephen Howard would like a hand clearing some space.

Oh gawd, just when I'd got everything where I want it!

 

[DavidUK]

Can Steve do impromptu repairs whist we're there... a walk-in "surgery" if you like...?

 

[Stephen Howard]

Can Steve do impromptu repairs whist we're there... a walk-in "surgery" if you like...?

Nahhh.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Summer has caused some slow downs, but here is a bit of R & D going on in regard to a bit of a different material for hinge tubes. Very very light and very strong but presents some problems when you try to solder to it.

 

[vries1]

Solid carbon fibre for rods?

 

[saxyjt]

I would advise talking to the America's cup sailing team. They know about using exotic material in tough contexts. They may even have a base near Southampton...

 

[Pete Thomas]

Solid carbon fibre for rods?

Not exactly solid. We found carbon fibre to be a little flexible, but note here the pattern. This stuff is very unflexible.

I would advise talking to the America's cup sailing team. They know about using exotic material in tough contexts.

Strangely enough we are dealing with a company in Portsmouth in regard to this.

 

[saxyjt]

My instincts would lead me to use some kind of glue to hold the accessories. Perhaps even glue some parts to screw other stuffs into. But avoid screwing directly into the carbon fiber.

 

[Halfers]

Is this unprecedented material use for a Saxophone?

 

[Vetinari]

Complete sax in carbon fibre composite. That would be interesting. An updated Grafton.

 

[s.mundi]

Have you considered fabricating the entire saxophone from 904L steel?

 

[vries1]

Interesting! A quick search tells me that regular “pultruded” carbon fibre rods have poor torsional stiffness. While torsional stiffness is obviously very desirable for use in a saxophone. Learnt something new today!

Not exactly solid. We found carbon fibre to be a little flexible, but note here the pattern. This stuff is very unflexible.


Strangely enough we are dealing with a company in Portsmouth in regard to this.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Interesting! A quick search tells me that regular “pultruded” carbon fibre rods have poor torsional stiffness. While torsional stiffness is obviously very desirable for use in a saxophone. Learnt something new today!

We learnt something new a little while back. You can see that this is not your bog standard carbon fibre:

(reposted better image)

 

[vries1]

Exactly, I read that there are other manufacturing processes which orient the fibres in the “right” (ie not longitudinal) direction for torsional stiffness. I guess one of those must have been your pick!

 

[vries1]

Trying to imagine the effect on the horn’s action of the mass reduction - I guess (hope) the action will be surprisingly light and swift.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Exactly, I read that there are other manufacturing processes which orient the fibres in the “right” (ie not longitudinal) direction for torsional stiffness. I guess one of those must have been your pick!

Well, it's still ongoing. Another thing is how the point screws interact. There is some other stuff going on inside involving other types of carbon fibre and other materials that will all be revealed of course when (or if) this goes into production. It is of course still depending on whether the whole idea passes the tests.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Trying to imagine the effect on the horn’s action of the mass reduction - I guess (hope) the action will be surprisingly light and swift.

Yes, this is what we are thinking of as the main advantage. Beautiful action and also a much lighter instrument.

 

[Ne0Wolf7]

How could such material be swedged if the sax were to need it?

 

[Pete Thomas]

How could such material be swedged if the sax were to need it?

Swedging is not possible, nor will it be needed.

Bear in mind there is more to this than a point screw sticking into a bit of Portsmouth carbon fibre. As I said above there are other materials involved but for reasons I hope people understand I'm not saying too much. Partly it's a secret, partly I am not qualified to explain technically and partly, we are still in the teaser stage