I’ve decided that its time to get into reedmaking. I have the NPU video, however I’m finding it difficult to gather information on what is essentiall reedmaking equipment. For instance can all the basic equipment be purchased from NPU and what do you need (I have no tools at all)? At present I have no experience what so ever and I have no idea where to start.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. Especially if you live in Australia. PM me if you can offer assistance, also you can post in the thread as well. Perhapse an FAQ on reedmaking would be helpfull eddition to this (and the other) forum.
Most of the tools I use are available in my local hardware store. For example:
A good sharp chissel - the blade needs to be at least 1" wide and 5" long (max. $10)
A honing stone to get the chissel good and sharp (max. $5)
Sand paper in various grits (120, 220, 340 and 600) (max. $5)
1.5" and 2" outside diameter PVC pipes, each about 8" long (for use as sanding blocks) - you’ll have to buy them in 3’ or 6’ lengths and cut them down (max. $6)
Teflon tape ($1)
A good digital calipers that measures both metric and imperial ($30)
A good sharp stanley knife ($6)
A small hammer (8 oz is big enough) ($5)
A small bench vice ($10)
A hacksaw blade (for cutting cane tubes) ($1)
A pipe cutter (for cutting brass tubing for staples)
What I can’t get in the hardware but can get in other shops:
Brass tubing for staples - you’ll get them in hobby shops (model trains, model airplanes, etc) ($2 for a 12" tube - good for 6 staples)
Waxed hemp from a cobbler. Alternatively buy a roll of hemp and wax it yourself - I use beeswax. ($5)
24 gauge copper wire for bridles (electrical goods store) ($5)
What you’ll need to order from NPU or a pipemaker:
Cane tubes (minimum length 4.5") ($20 for a box full)
A shooting block (if you can’t make one yourself - check Seth Gallagher’s website for dimentions) ($10)
Some (2) mandrels (for forming the staples) ($10 each)
A gouge, if you really need one (I know many people who get by with sandpaper) ($30)
As far as publications are concerned, Dave Hegarty and David Quinn both have written excellent books on reedmaking. There are also several online guides (Seth Gallagher, Evertjan 't Hart, etc).
Most of all, get to see someone else making reeds, even if you have to travel. It’s well worth it. I tried and failed for about 6 months on my own. Then I went to one workshop and a week later made my first reed.
Patrick Sky has his reed making manual as a free download.
I’d say too, that finding a reed maker to show you how is the key to getting a reed of your own to work; to see and feel what is wanted. But the NPU DVD is excellent, with four examples of ways to go about it. If you join NPU you can down load Dave Hegarty’s book for free.
Get the kit you need straighty away, and start carving and sanding etc. It takes a while to learn how to use the tools effectively, and will inform you greatly when you sit alongside a reed maker.
I find re reading the various tomes I have great value. Experience informs and reveals further insights in what these folk have to say.
If you are reeding just your set, then I suggest ordering a couple of extra staples from your pipe maker. That will save you some work and possibly a few tools.
For your beeswax, I recommend getting it from a jar of honey with the honeycomb still in it as most beeswax I have found in sewing supplies is a yellow colored parafin.
Seeing our illustrious Head Pirate of this forums last reply, a way ahead occured to me.
You could buy a ready made slip and staple from someone reliable - JES included, though for good reasons this may not be too easy for himself at the minute. Others provide this service. You would at least have a model of what to aim for, and ‘feel’ as well as see what the slip should do.
