Stuck welded reed
I got a Kongsheng Solist and I absolutely love it, but I'm having a problem I don't know how to fix. The 2 draw reed keeps getting stuck. It's not food or sugary anything. It's the harp. It keeps happening.
I took it apart and freed it, and when it's free it looks straight. But it was clearly bent to the right when it was caught. This draw reed is also prone to squealing (without even bending) which tells me it's experiencing torsional vibration which is probably how it's getting stuck, right? It vibrates to the side and gets stuck when it goes through the plate.
I'm out of my depth on this one. I have little experience with modding welded reeds. Is it possible to fix this without replacing the reed? Because I can't do that. I don't have a drill press or a new reed.
If it's not an easy fix, I can just exchange it for a new one.
Hi AC, Sanshinboi-san is correct, the operator of that spot welder was not interested in calibrating his equipment for accuracy.
Only because your work bench has not yet been stocked with the necessary tools, I would definitely return this instrument as a warranty claim. But next time ...
- Push the reed out of the reed plate slot, then support it with a shim stock (about .004")
- Resting the smooth edge of a fine jewerler's flat file (or ceramic sanding wand) on the shim stock, and the cutting edge against the high point of the reed
- Carefully and slowly slide the file forward/back a few times
- Run your finger over the filed/sanded area and check the reed edge for absolute smoothness--NO BURRS!
- Now plink it, again, again and again
- Attach it back on to the comb a play it
- Almost, but not quite enough--repeat the above steps
- Once you are satisfied,
- Retune this reed (it will probably be significantly sharp)
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Thanks, I contacted the seller and sent it back for an exchange.
Out of curiosity, what does this mean?
"and the cutting edge against the high point of the reed"
What's the high point of the reed?
Sorry for the confusing terms AC,
Many Files have four cutting surfaces and will "cut" on the push stroke. Awareness of this will prevent damaging (stratching) the surrounding material of your work.
The "high point of the reed" refers to the part of the reed that is hitting the side of the reed plate slot. It maybe helpful to imagine we are working on the front door of your home. For a variety of reasons, one section of the door catches against the door frame. Rather than replace the house, you would repair the door. With a carpenters planer, you would shave down the part of the door that is hitting the frame--until it clears and allow the door to swing freely.
Your Harpsmith, Kinya
Hello AC
I'm no harp tech but I was a machinist and by looking at your photo those spot welds are all over the place. Some look very off center of the reed. I'm wondering if that has any effect on your problem. I looked at all my Hohner Harmonica's and they are all center precisely centered in the middle do the reed.
Sanshinboi