Scoltx
24 posts
Feb 07, 2009
12:39 PM
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I'm thinking of tweaking/ adjusting some of my older under performing harps, and just wondering what tools I should acquire for these experiments?
I've seen the LO toolkit and the Hohner toolkit available are they worth it? Can someone recommend one kit over the other, a list of alternatives or additions to these kits that might be useful?
Thanks
Scoltx
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SteveL
23 posts
Feb 07, 2009
1:50 PM
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I'm thinking about the same thing. Elk River Harmonicas have an interesting kit thet they have assembled themselves.
http://elkriverharmonicas.com/toolsparts.html
Last Edited by on Feb 07, 2009 1:50 PM
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MrVerylongusername
135 posts
Feb 07, 2009
1:56 PM
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Unless you want to start replacing reeds you don't need much:
A set of feeler gauges (to cut a metal shim from)
A cocktail stick is good for plinking and gapping reeds without scratching them.
Some mini screwdrivers and some jewellers/modellers files.
A penny or a socket from a socket wrench for embossing.
what you don't already have lying around should be a fraction of the cost of one of those kits.
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Andrew
103 posts
Feb 08, 2009
2:07 AM
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You can get away with even less.
You do need a penknife with a smallish blade to get the covers off (on a MB). And pliers to get them back on again - a hammer would be madness!
Shims aren't essential - there's a YouTube video where the guy just plinks until the friction wears away the contact points! I use a credit-card receipt and a propelling pencil for gapping, but a match or a cocktail stick would be OK. You don't need screwdrivers for a MB. And I don't use files. I'm not sure what I'll do when my harps start going flat. I may just replace them. Someone on this forum hinted that after they start going flat the end comes pretty quickly.
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danielbs
37 posts
Feb 08, 2009
2:59 AM
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I have the LO tool kit, its good enough for everything i do.
And, you can find the for a good price on eBay.
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Scoltx
25 posts
Feb 08, 2009
9:52 AM
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Thanks for the suggestions, I had a look at the Elk River tool kit, looked like overkill. I doubt I'll be replacing any reeds, just gaping, tuning and maybe embossing.
I've already got screwdrivers, a tuning fork I can use for embossing, some feeler gauges and if I dig around hard enough I think might still have some small files I used for some guitar repairs in the past.
I think I just need to maybe make a curved brass tool like the one Dave Payne uses in his U Tube vids out of an old reed plate for gaping/ arcing etc. Or just wing it with something else.
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Andrew
104 posts
Feb 08, 2009
1:45 PM
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Actually, no-one has mentioned something I find essential - a magnifying glass. The one I use most is a jeweller's one that clips onto my glasses.
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Buddha
34 posts
Feb 08, 2009
2:36 PM
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The LO kit is not very good. Richard Sleigh makes a nice one that's worth it for some of the tools.
I wear reading glasses when I work on harp. Just the el cheapos from Walmart or target.
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Andrew
105 posts
Feb 09, 2009
1:00 AM
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Yeah, reading glasses are nothing more than magnifying glasses. They are fine if your eyes have nothing else that needs correcting. I'm guessing you've got the strongest reading glasses you could find, Buddha (+3.5? or do they go higher?) because they are not generally as powerful as a magnifying glass.
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Buddha
35 posts
Feb 09, 2009
3:48 AM
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I have +6 glasses from Walmart. I think they cost me about $7 bucks. I have magnifying glasses but I don't use them very much. In fact I have a surgical magnifier some where in the garage. It's a shame because I'm told it costs about $6000. A lot of the tools I use on harps are actually precision surgical tools used for eye surgery. My mother is a Prof of Surgery so she has ways of getting this stuff. Usually it's just a matter of asking the reps for free samples. The tool I actually use for embossing is a $600 scalpel that is used for corneal transplants and other procedures.
Most of my work is done with a light table so I find that I don't need magnifying glasses. It doesn't take much to see the light to start withering away.
I was thinking about putting together a little tool kit to offer to the public. There are a few tools that I made for myself that you really can't get anywhere. What do you think? Would this be interesting to you?
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Andrew
107 posts
Feb 09, 2009
11:54 AM
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No offence, but I prefer my own DIY tinkering. If I had spare money, I'd buy a harp with it.
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