i have been looking at the way mandrels are made.they are tapered with a file from 4mm to 2mm over 25mm.does this not reduce the circumference at the oval end and if so when the 4mm staple is formed on the mandrel is there a gap at either side at the oval end.would it not be possible to hammer the rod so that the round end and the oval eye are the same circumference.not having made a reed before i am a bit confused.
You want to think of the staple as being an extension of the bore as it tapers to a point… but not quite. Rolled staples are usually (not always) cut prior to rolling to achieve this ie: the eye end is narrower than the seat end.
Here’s a link to Davy Stephenson’s reed making manual. Davy’s reeds are basically the same as Peter Hunter’s design.
gotcha,thank you, the fog has lifted.how about a tubing staple?is the mandrel a different configuration.?
There is indeed a gap at either side of the oval - the eye of the staple is only in contact with the staple in the centre. If the mandrel widened in one dimension while tapering in in the other so that its external dimensions exactly matched the internal dimensions of the staple it would be impossible to insert or remove it from the staple without cutting it open.
you are perfectly correct.i did not notice that.thank you kindly.
Mike - there are two types of mandrel, a ‘rolling mandrel’ used to form the staple (unnecessary if using tubing) and a “forming mandrel” used to flatten the cylindrical or conical staple at one end. There’s also a special eye former which is inserted in the opposite direction which is used by a minority of reedmakers to help shape the eye of the reed to the perfect lenticular (lentil-like or lens-like) shape.
Bill
thanks bill im begining to see the light now i only have to make one.