super glue improved my reed

[Durand]

When practicing I found a little split (crack) in the tip of one of my best reeds. In an effort to stop the progress of the crack I applied a tiny drop of super glue to the tip and expand it with a toothpick over the split. The results?:
A more projected sound and a more life in my reed, like if it was recently prepared for the first time.
Anyone with comments about this?

[Joseph Boucher]

I'll have to give that a try. It will make reeds last longer. A savings. Joe.

[Morry]

Just make sure it's dried before sticking it into your mouth... :P

[Joseph Boucher]

umf... ummm....mumf.....wuf?

[Durand]

Joseph:
Bad results?? :(

[singlereed]

I thought superglue (CYANOacrylate) was poisonoous, though I don't know how stable it is when it is dried? I wouldn't really want to be putting it in my mouth.

[Keith]

I know musicans are some of the poorest people. However, just how broke are you that you have to repair a reed?

[Vortex]

If you read above, he does say it improved it :roll:

[Durand]

hey guys, I know it is not the best solution. Just one experience that I have just wanted to share with you.
But...my reed plays even better than new..
:idea:

[arsenic87]

Cyanoacrylate isn't toxic like cyanide is. The cyanide ion (CN-) (from sodium cyanide or hydrogen cyanide) takes the place of oxygen and allows you to chemically asphyxiate. The cyanoacrylate has the CN- bonded to an oxygen and then to acrylic acid, which then polymerizes, leaving the cyanide part chemically inactive. I wouldn't eat large quanities of it, but the amount that is on a reed repair won't hurt you. hope this helps, Ron

[Joseph Boucher]

Just what what this forum needs, a chem major from UNH. Joe. :roll:

[Durand]

besides, the drop is in the internal face of the reed. Your mouth isn't in contact with the cyanoacrylate.
Everyday you learn something. Thanks, arsenic87. :wink:

[Matt Carlton]

First we have people using Vodka to soak reeds and now this...

Super glue does not do a body good.

[timobrien]

I build and fly radio controlled planes and you should be VERY careful around superglues....

Many reports in the R/C magazines about people having toxic allergic reactions to CA glues. The fumes of it "kicking off" are especially bad for you. I've never had any problems with it myself, but there have been reports of other people using it for a long time and then going into allergic shock and ending up in the ER

BE CAREFULL, guys...

[DocSax]

So, yeah, someone CAN be allergic to it, and I don't know how often that happens, but I do know this: I've used superglue instead of going to the ER and getting stiches, and works VERY well! In fact, many hospitals are using a form of superglue for just this purpose. I have seen it used on some patients during surgury.

[Mike Ruhl]

So, yeah, someone CAN be allergic to it, and I don't know how often that happens, but I do know this: I've used superglue instead of going to the ER and getting stiches, and works VERY well! In fact, many hospitals are using a form of superglue for just this purpose. I have seen it used on some patients during surgury.
Actually, that was the original purpose of cyanoacrylates: as a replacement for stitches to close wounds in combat situations.

[Andrew]

Super glue on my reeds...I think I MIGHT try that...I'll give it some thought...

[Mike Ruhl]

On the old forum, Paul C. described how he has made his own "plasticover" reeds, by coating some plain cane reeds with spray polyurethane. It takes several light coats, applied over several days.

[Bill Mecca]

I remember a long time ago having and on line discussion with a guy who coated his reeds with clear nail polish. I wondered about toxicity, his response was the babies suck on their mother's painted nails, so it shouldn't be a problem.... hmmm bright ruby red reed...;-) or am I more of an autumn ...... :shock:

[Mike Ruhl]

Emerald Green (in memory of Dijaldi)

[Vortex]

Ugh, these super-glue guys... I gave this a try with little success, but I found that A LITTLE pepsi helps

[wbras]

Last year the tooth pad on my Sugal mp came loose and having sent it back once before to be fixed for $45.00 + shipping made me look for an alternative. I was reluctant to try to Super Glue it on, so I did a good bit of research on it. I found that in Viet Nam Doctors/Surgeons used Super Glue to put livers back together. A liver is nearly impossible to stitch apparently. It saved countless lives without harming the patient. Also for years Dermatologists and Surgeons have used it to close wounds as it leaves almost no scarring. Now days, there are some medical varieties, but all in all it is very, very safe. By the way, my tooth pad is stuck tight, and has not been a problem at all since I Super Glued it. Good Stuff....
Now if I could just figure out what to do with this third arm that's growing from my forehead!!!... just kidding. Hee Hee... :D

[Chu-Jerry]

I just tried this recently. Saturated a brand new #2 Rico Royal (alto) in superglue (thin viscosity CA). I have a lot of experience working with this as I use it a lot to build R/C airplane models. I let it soak up as much as it would then wiped off the excess. After it hardened I sanded it smooth. It ended up making the reed very hard so I had to sand it down quite a lot to get it back to playing consistency.

It's now my best playing reed. The response is about 5 times better than before, tone and projection is great, altissimo is improved, low B, Bb flutter was eliminated, the high register to low slur response is much faster. Crossover slurs from middle C to middle D always had a strong risk of jumping up to the A harmonic, which was also eliminated. The reed feels slick like a plastic reed now but it still sounds 'woody'. Anyone else try this intentionally?

[sattva]

Paul Coats always come up with good ideas.... did anyone try this method of spray polyurethane? Were the results any good?

On the rare occasions that I find an excellent reed I want it to last for ever!

[jazzbluescat]

Wow, I thought glue was not for internal consumption.

Anyhow, after the reed gets hard from the glue saturation, how does it absorb water for preparation to play? [I thought water was crucial to making a reed respond correctly.]

[Chu-Jerry]

You don't ingest the glue, it stays put in the reed :shock:.

You are quite correct though, it will no longer absorb water. Rather like a composite reed at this point I guess.

[imamfaja]

defintely something i wanna try!

[Stencilman]

I just tried this on a handful of junk reeds. Here are the steps I arrived at:
Soak the reed for 10 minutes "Work in" the moisture on a flat surface to get the warps out of the tip Apply super glue in an even layer on top and bottom of reed Wait 10 seconds Use a damp towel to wipe away the excess and at the same time, pressing the glue into the reed Wait 10 minutes for glue to harden Sand bottom on a flat surface until the lettering on bottom of reed started to be sanded Sand top of reed with even strokes toward the tip Adjust reed as necessaryThese bad reeds (rejects from blue-box Vandoren) all turned out better than they started but played quite a bit brighter than before. Of course there's no telling reeds treated like this might last. Also, the reeds need a bit of skillfull tweaking after the treatment.

This technique might have some merit. So, why hasn't someone come up with "reed preservation treatment in a bottle"? I am not so sure about how safe super glue really is in the long term. If someone came up with such a thing, it would have to be 100% non-toxic. Is there such a substance in the world besides pure water?

[Stencilman]

After letting a "super glued" reed sit for an hour it became much harder. Probably need to let it set up longer before trying to adjust it.

[SilverNeck20]

I use it a lot to build R/C airplane models

Chu - I used to do the same, and my dad still does. But I've worked with CA for years, you know it will fix just about anything. That stuff is toxic. Not something you want to put in your mouth. It does break down over time. I'm pretty sure that saliva will break it down and start to digest this stuff.

But you guys let me know how your feeling in a couple of years. :D

[Captain Beeflat]

Surely what Chu Jerry suggested is, in escence, the process employed to create Plasticover reeds. they do not absorb water; neither do any of the synthetic reeds. :roll:

[kasax63]

Silverneck, you obviously missed the chem analysys on the first page. Anyway the short of it is that once fully cured the CA becomes inert. There is no more chemical reaction that can take place so it will not harm anyone.

Not a bad idea to try in a pinch, thanks for the trial analysis Stencilman!

I'm pretty sure you can buy many different formulations of CAs, some being more viscous than others. Might be your next step!

Good thread! Need more of these goofy ones, like in the good ol days!

Happy Holiday!

KevinS

[Chu-Jerry]

Yes, I found that the reeds done this way tend to play a bit brighter. This was not a bad thing though with my chu-alto and the stock eagle mouthpiece which is quite dark normally. With a Selmer C* it was very bright, and seemed almost amplified by comparison.

I use a very thin CA that seems thinner than water. It absorbs into the reed so quickly that there is no need to soak it for a long time. it only needs to be on for a few seconds. After wiping off the excess (got to do this quickly or the paper towel will stick) then I spray it with an accelerator that hardens the glue instantly. You can then procede to sanding. If you've ever reworked reeds before then you know how a light touch can normally make a big difference. Well, with these superglue treated reeds you actually have to do a lot of (relatively) heavy sanding. It makes a very tough surface. After I'm done with the sanding I wash it off well to remove any chemical residue before first sticking it in my mouth. It may take several more sanding adjustments to get it just right.

I suspect there may be other treatments that could work similarly. If you try the superglue (cyanoacrylate) Be careful though, or you could end up gluing things not intended as it bonds skin instantly. And wear eye protection in case it spatters.