i recently started making chanter reeds but i am having trouble making the slip parallel.i can get the sides straight but when i try to get them parallel i end up with a trapezium.is there a method to get the sides parallel or is this a secret guarded jealously by a few reedmakers?
I may get shot for revealing this but, turn the slip around the other way, so that you sand from both directions. When you are getting close to your target width, start measuring often. Only take one or two swipes on the sanding block between measurements.
djm
I think the best approach is to inspect regularly and modify finger pressure according to where it is failing to thin.
I find that even when I flip the slip to sand from both ends, I still don’t get even edges. I try to apply pressure evenly on the slip, but find the right side wears down faster. I therefore have to deliberately apply a little more pressure to the left side of the slip. I then finish the slip off with very little downward pressure to ensure symmetry.
Another handy hint when finishing is to check that the slip isn’t a little twisted before final sanding. Once thinned a fair amount, it is very easily twisted back to where it should be.
All the best
I don’t think this is what Mike is asking…
Mike, you seem to be asking about how to keep the slip width uniform (as opposed to the thickness). I don’t know any special techniques there, other than exercising care. I do occasionally sand or plane the sides of a slip to keep it rectangular, especially in the early stages. When sanding an edge this way, note that the leading edge tends to have more material removed than the trailing edge.
Bill
Just split it and it will split parallel to the grain always. Only sand a leetle afterwards.
thanks bill thats what i meant.
Yes, billh, that’s what I meant, width not thickness.
djm
Thankyou Dave I read your post and it is quite helpful.
Sorry for getting it wrong 
Hoepfully my comments will still be helpful advice to someone reading this thread.
Cheers