A trip to Lowes ends with 3 repaired horns

The title almost says it all.

I stop at Lowes to see what I can make into a leak light.

How about a $2 extension cord cut off and soldered to a 20W halogen bulb?
No - too hot and if it breaks I'll get zapped or burned.

Then I find a 6 foot rope light for under $7.

The rope light comes home but is too thick at the end to fit into my clarinet.
I trim down the end and now it fits.

Upon inspection it seems light glows right through those white clarinet pads but I do find a few problem ones and fix by applying heat and reseating the pads.

WOW - the clarinet is playing much better.

How about my kid's Conn 50M Alto sax that needs $150 in repairs?
Light goes in and a few pads get reseated. A few keys get a bend here and there.
Now the thing plays GREAT! I should take it back from him but then he'd need a rental.

One thing I noticed since I haven't played it in a while is how kludgey the key work feels. I guess my Taiwanese E.M. Winston IS a much better horn but the Conn is built like a tank.

Now for my Evette & Schaeffer "Master Model" tenor.
It's been a little rough to play the past few years but works well enough.
WHAT'S THIS ?!?!? Two pads in the left hand G to C range are not fully closing. Thank you leak light.
Apply heat, reseat and - well, not quite as good the results I had on the other instruments but it is playing easier down to low C.
I'll spend some more time on it today.

My test of how well a sax is sealing is being able to play low Bb very softly.

I just wanted to share my story since things turned out so well.

It's almost as fun as getting a bunch of new horns.