how to remove mother of pearls and replace
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...ditto...this is not a job for the faint of heart. The process depends on both the design and the state of wear. Couldn't even begin to point you without seeing it. Pearls are sold by outer diameter...you just measure the ones on your horn...
Are they broken?
Are they broken?
I think most of them are glued (Yamaha uses super glue) in. If you're not worried about wrecking the old ones, just pry them out with a small screwdriver. Start at the edge of the pearl and use the tip of the screwdriver and work it in and around to loosen it and pry it out. Be careful though, the metal around the pearl is thin and you don't want to mess it up.
Then with your new pearls, just add a dab of super glue to the metal part on the key and place the new pearl in and press down to spread out the glue. It dries fast and there's no waiting time, you can play the horn as soon as the new one's are in place.
Then with your new pearls, just add a dab of super glue to the metal part on the key and place the new pearl in and press down to spread out the glue. It dries fast and there's no waiting time, you can play the horn as soon as the new one's are in place.
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Have you done this on any worthwhile horns? You may easily ruin the bezels - and those are not easily restored. Yes, I know you said "be careful" but one doesn't know how careful until the damage is done.cjk_712 said:
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1,632 Posts
The only time I've replaced keytouches is on student horns where the plastic ones melted out under heat, so I've never removed pro-styled pearls that are factory reamed in.
For replacement, measure the inside of the keytouch cup with a caliper. I have replaced the odd size by buying large and sanding down the edges by hand while watching TV with the horn present for fit ( You know, it's too tedious just to do without other entertainment). After sizing, I add a bevel to the exposed-side edge and use five minute epoxy to attach. It takes some time, but it's easy to do.
For replacement, measure the inside of the keytouch cup with a caliper. I have replaced the odd size by buying large and sanding down the edges by hand while watching TV with the horn present for fit ( You know, it's too tedious just to do without other entertainment). After sizing, I add a bevel to the exposed-side edge and use five minute epoxy to attach. It takes some time, but it's easy to do.
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I use a rotary tool and a small burr like this one.
http://www.sculpt.com/pictures/burrs/circo/burrpics/longstemburrs.jpg
I cut a "Y" shape slot out of the pearl and use a very large screw driver in the slot. Turning it pops the pearl out.
I wear a mask with goggles and do this outside.
I agree with the others that this may be a job left to a tech.
Good luck!
http://www.sculpt.com/pictures/burrs/circo/burrpics/longstemburrs.jpg
I cut a "Y" shape slot out of the pearl and use a very large screw driver in the slot. Turning it pops the pearl out.
I wear a mask with goggles and do this outside.
I agree with the others that this may be a job left to a tech.
Good luck!
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4,518 Posts
I take them out quite similarly, but for replacement, I'm a 'belt and suspenders guy. I use the end of a drift punch sot carefully expand the bezel, then put a small amount of high temp epoxy in, place the pearl, and then use the bezel shrinkers from Ferrees (I had to rework these and polish the business end to make them work) to compress the bezel back over the edges of the new pearl (which was sized to match the floor of the cavity).
In my experience, only Keilwerth 'just' glues them in...the glue is just to hold them in place while you get the bezel set...in my experience.
In my experience, only Keilwerth 'just' glues them in...the glue is just to hold them in place while you get the bezel set...in my experience.
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646 Posts
Very well stated Dr. G!Dr G said:
mjs10, we are still wondering what kind of horn, and why?
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You can dissolve your finger free next time with acetone or MEK...not too healthy but better than knives to fingers...
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90-second epoxy. Excellent.
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I believe this is the horn he is referring to. See post #7 in that thread. The question still remains WHY?, indeed.hornimprovement said:
http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=62244
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