I'm restoring one of those old Buffet Crampon B12 lucite clarinets. (The clear one with the copper plated keys.) One of the pivot screw heads snapped on me, and I lost (ooops!) another one. They are headless, and smaller than small . . . even smaller than the old E11 screws with the blue goop on them. Would anyone happen to have a few? Or be able to make them? Or know offhand if standard B12's of a certain era used them? (Most B12's have heads.) Thanks!
Ridiculously hard-to-find Buffet Lucite clarinet pivot screw
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I did a quick search of woodwind parts suppliers I use and didn't find anything. Your best bet would be to take it to a local repair shop to see if they have one that would work from another make and model. Sometimes a screw with the same thread size can be easily modified to the specs of the one(s) you need.
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I've never even tried to read an inch micrometer... so I'm half guessing the diameter is about 0.0768"? With Buffet almost certainly being metric (basically certain except some very old clarinets) it's likely M2x0.4mm which is one of the most common sizes.
Almost anyone who can make screws can make these. Even though this is for a clarinet, I would consider asking in the saxophone repair forum about someone in your area and mention that you need them to make a pivot screw (a lot more people post there).
Since they are headless it's easier because you don't need to turn (or file) to the thread diameter. Start with the correct diameter. Either get a thread measuring tool, or find a way to measure it. For just those couple of screws maybe get one of those very cheap carbon steel dies and you can make the entire screw with files, saw, etc. by just taking a long time.
I think you can get the tool steel rod from Ferree's or Music Medic (if I understand your location right you are in the USA).
That's if you're interested in trying to make them yourself.
Almost anyone who can make screws can make these. Even though this is for a clarinet, I would consider asking in the saxophone repair forum about someone in your area and mention that you need them to make a pivot screw (a lot more people post there).
Since they are headless it's easier because you don't need to turn (or file) to the thread diameter. Start with the correct diameter. Either get a thread measuring tool, or find a way to measure it. For just those couple of screws maybe get one of those very cheap carbon steel dies and you can make the entire screw with files, saw, etc. by just taking a long time.
I think you can get the tool steel rod from Ferree's or Music Medic (if I understand your location right you are in the USA).
That's if you're interested in trying to make them yourself.
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indeed, making a screw is possibly your easiest (if not the cheapest) bet, but I am baffled as to why you wouldn't try at Buffet themselves or a shop which seems to have parts
If the size is right it costs, quite literally, pennies (shipping is way more expensive!).
https://www.dawkes.co.uk/spare-parts/clarinet/buffet/buffet-german-b12
in particular this one
https://www.dawkes.co.uk/screw-point-headless-german-b12/349
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If the size is right it costs, quite literally, pennies (shipping is way more expensive!).
https://www.dawkes.co.uk/spare-parts/clarinet/buffet/buffet-german-b12
in particular this one
https://www.dawkes.co.uk/screw-point-headless-german-b12/349
Thank you! I did take it to both of my local techs, who went through their new stock and their entire bone piles. It's just a little off from anything we can find. Neither can make it, though one offered to tap out the posts to a more common size, which I don't want to do.
Thanks! I was thinking about trying to make them myself, but with rod diameter, taper, thread, and the tiny head slot, I think I'd be in over my head. I know both of my local guys. Hoping someone already has some. I can't imagine these were used only on one odd clarinet with a very limited run.
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Do check the link that I gave you above
Bruce at Buffet was the first person I called. He's been looking for a week. Thank for that link. I don't see any measurements, but the fact that it's labeled "German B12" makes me think it's probably too large. B12's are so common that I'm sure one or both of my techs would have had bunches of them.indeed, making a screw is possibly your easiest (if not the cheapest) bet, but I am baffled as to why you wouldn't try at Buffet themselves or a shop which seems to have parts
If the size is right it costs, quite literally, pennies (shipping is way more expensive!).
https://www.dawkes.co.uk/spare-parts/clarinet/buffet/buffet-german-b12
in particular this one
https://www.dawkes.co.uk/screw-point-headless-german-b12/349
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They look like the old Boosey&Hawkes pivots also used on B+H flutes. Dawkes (windcraft) in UK used to have loads-try them.
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which is what I advised ^
Postal Address
Dawkes Music Ltd
The Woodwind and Brass Warehouse
Reform Road
Maidenhead
Berkshire
SL6 8BT
Phone/Fax
Phone: 01628 630 800
Fax: 01628 200169
Email for Information: [email protected]
Email for Sales: [email protected]
Well, first of all, you DO NOT need to cut threads to make this part. You start with threaded rod of the right size, or you start with a screw of the right size and longer than you need.
I would go ahead and invest in a set of metric thread gauges, but that's me. If you don't want to do that, then take the joint of the clarinet to a good well stocked hardware store or an industrial fastener supplier, and try little screws till you find one that easily threads into the post - and that's your size. If you can't find a store like that, order one or two each of all the candidate thread sizes from McMaster-Carr or Metric and Multistandard Components.
Once you've got the threaded rod or donor screws, anyone with a small lathe can make the pivot screws for you.
I would go ahead and invest in a set of metric thread gauges, but that's me. If you don't want to do that, then take the joint of the clarinet to a good well stocked hardware store or an industrial fastener supplier, and try little screws till you find one that easily threads into the post - and that's your size. If you can't find a store like that, order one or two each of all the candidate thread sizes from McMaster-Carr or Metric and Multistandard Components.
Once you've got the threaded rod or donor screws, anyone with a small lathe can make the pivot screws for you.
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I have my own repair shop at the back of my garage and do saxophone repairs by appointment only (no walk ins) so I have a lot of spare time in between customers. If you would like to write me a pm I will give you my address so you can send a couple of screws in an enveloped taped to an index card and I will make a few for you and get them back by return mail. I have all of the rod stock and dies required for the job.
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5,209 Posts
I have some pivot screws marked B&H/B12 and they sure seem the same as the ones in the OP in diameter and length. There's a very good chance these will work (link in Milandro's post). You can ask them if these are the M2 ones to make sure.
I am surprised your local guys cannot make a replacement screw or even size it up for you.
Being mic'd at 77 thou, I would confirm with above that it is highly likely a M2 with a .4 pitch as M2 is pretty close to 80 thou
Steve
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Measure the pitch!!!!!!
And seeing Buffet is almost certainly metric, measure in mm per thread. If you do not have a metric thread gauge, you need to measure x mm for y threads (under a magnifier), then converted to x/y mm per thread.
It's no use just guessing pitch! Especially by a photo.
I have some B&H headed screws. They are not metric as such. Britain never used to be metric. they are probably BA
It is very, very unlikely you can buy threaded rod of the right pitch.
And seeing Buffet is almost certainly metric, measure in mm per thread. If you do not have a metric thread gauge, you need to measure x mm for y threads (under a magnifier), then converted to x/y mm per thread.
It's no use just guessing pitch! Especially by a photo.
I have some B&H headed screws. They are not metric as such. Britain never used to be metric. they are probably BA
It is very, very unlikely you can buy threaded rod of the right pitch.
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