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Forums :: Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Marine Band 1896 Cover Plates: How to roll the back folds for beauty and brawn.

7 replies [Last post]
Fri, 06/05/2015 - 19:30
Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture
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Joined: 02/07/2010

In response to the subsribers interest in upgrading their Hohner Marine Band 1896 cover plates, I assembled a pictorial “how to” article. After the modifications, you will find your Marine Band 1896 harmonica to be more crush resistance, louder, and arguably gorgeous.

STUFF

  • Vice Grip #8R Locking Sheet Metal tool

  • Blue Painter’s tape

  • 22oz Urethane Hammer

  • 3/16” Diameter steel rod (pin)

  • Self healing PVC cutting board

Tool list.JPGmetal rod.JPG

Place metal rod (pin) on the inside of the cover plate fold

tape the rod in place.JPG

To prevent the rod from shifting, secure it with tape Urethane hammer.JPG

Using the 22oz urethane hammer, “impact roll” (inward) the fold of the cover plate over the top of the rod

 

proceed the entire length of the fold.JPG                                                                               

Work your way all the way down to the end. 

                                                                                        set the raise of the crest.JPG

Clamp the Vise Grip onto the back crest of the cover plate

Notice how I adhered a layer of leatherette contact material onto the inside surfaces of the jaws. This will protect the cover plates from being scratched (you can also apply Blue Painters’ Tape directly onto the cover plates and achieve the same result).

While holding the Vise Grip tool steady with your right hand, hook your left fingers underneath of the leading edge of the cover plate, and draw it towards you. This will set the gradient (angle) of the back crest of the cover plate opening.

                                                                                   pull the rod, pin out with pliers.JPG

 Remove blue painter’s tape and pull the rod (pin) out.

double check alignment.JPG

Inspect your work

modified and original.JPG

Stock cover plate compared to modified cover plate.

nice!.JPG

Reattach the cover plates. The "return" on the back cover plate folds will add strength (mitigating the "crush factor"), and open up the back of the Marine Band harmonica for greater sound projection.

Now go on, and take this baby out for some fun. It would be a crime not to show it off ;o)

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

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Mon, 06/08/2015 - 09:18
#1
Ruby2
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Joined: 02/04/2015
Awesome!

Hi Kinya

Many thanks for doing that for us! 

I'm sure we've got one of those Mole Grips with a plate attached at work. I'll be searching it out tomorrow!.....and pestering our body shop for a roll of painters tape ;-)

Thanks again! 

Richard

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Mon, 06/08/2015 - 10:07
#2
Homer
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Joined: 11/22/2012
Great Demonstration

Hi Kinya...I really enjoyed this mini "pictorial" series.  A picture is worth a thousand words! 

Any news or updates on the Marine Band customizing series that you were threatening to produce with David several months ago?  I would really like to see this come to fruition.

 

I am heading to the hardware store, as I type, to get my necessary tools to roll my cover plates.

 

Homer.

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Thu, 06/11/2015 - 06:57
#3
Harp Tech Kinya...
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Patience is a virtue Homer

Patience is a virtue Homer ;o)

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

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Fri, 06/12/2015 - 06:06
#4
Harp Tech Kinya...
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Hey Homer, I have been

Hey Homer, I have been meaning to ask you, "who's the back-up singer shown in your photo"?

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

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Sat, 06/13/2015 - 07:49
#5
Homer
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Joined: 11/22/2012
Ha ha, Kinya.  Nice one.

Ha ha, Kinya.  Nice one.  That would be Hoover.  She was a Jack Russell terrier' and would always sing whenever I brought out the tin sandwich. She lived to a ripe old age of fifteen, and she now is in doggie heaven, bless her soul.

 

My new Jack, Pudlz (Puddles) is different.  Whenever I start to play, these days, she is more apt to leave the room.  Much like my wife!   ;-)

 

Thanks for asking.

 

Homer.

 

 

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Sat, 06/13/2015 - 09:08
#6
Harp Tech Kinya...
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Sweet! Kinya

Sweet!

Kinya

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Sat, 06/13/2015 - 12:13
#7
Ruby2
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Joined: 02/04/2015
Awwwww

Hoover is sweet 

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