Clarinet Overhaul pt 1, Band Instrument Repair, Ferree's Tools, Wes Lee Music Repair

First of a two part series, in this episode we cover disassembly, pad removal, washing/cleaning, buffing, bore oil, tenon corks along with other trade tips . We go over what tools to have on your bench to do the job.
Tool list:
D6 bench peg
D12A Cork cut gauge
F12 cork stripper
T67 bore oil
F79S Pisoni screwdriver set
G65 shellac- clear
H70 cork cement
L56 torch
J90 assembly board
D35 Feeler gauge
D1 spring hook
E33 pad slick
A55-62 sheet cork
www.ferreestoolsinc.com
Thanks for watching.
www.WesLeeMusic.com

[@maongozi]

I think players that won't attempt repair should watch this. I learned so much about the regulation of the instrument in the first ten minutes. Now I have _some_ idea of what could be behind those times when "it won't tune".

[@jstep4146]

I would love to see an episode on all the awful amateur repairs you have to deal with. I see some stuff come in lately that is really bad, like epoxy fixes, trumpet buttons hot melt glued into a tuba piston etc.

[@ektoraskontos3384]

I would like if you can make a video showing in detail how to synchronize the F# and E when neither of the two pads are closed properly. There are many videos on the internet, what to do when one of the two pads doesn't close but none if neither one close correctly. Keep up the work, your videos help us a lot!!!

[@stephenbridges2791]

I just recently found your channel. I must say, you are a true craftsman. I played the clarinet in high school in the early 70's.

[@panjipay]

These skills easily apply to machine tool care, repair and maintenance. Cross-Discipline skills are key to mastering a craft. Thank you Wes for teaching us your methods and making us better at our jobs outside of musical instrument repair!

[@richy77]

Can't wait for part 2

[@richy77]

Really interesting to me too, as a clarinet player

[@lenpalmeri6228]

Sealing the tenon cork with paraffin wax is a fine touch. Well done!

[@Finn-McCool]

20:42 I kept wanting you to rotate the cork sheet 180° in order to hold the gauge comfortably with your left hand as you cut with your right hand! For some reason that small thing caused me anxiety HAHA In other news I'm so STOKED to see another rebuild vid-yo! Love the channel Wes.

[@captain7265]

Could you do an episode on some of this stuff being sold through Amazon?I tell parents you get what you pay for. I’m sure there are repair tech horror stories out there. Thanks!

[@lotsabirds]

I use Dawn clear...no perfumes no chemical colorings. I have no idea how the chemicals react to the instruments. Maybe they don't, but who knows. I rinse with distilled water. My tap water leaves spots. When I cut cork, I use a fabric cutting wheel on a cutting mat. I sometimes have to cut long strips, like when I work on pipe or reed organs, so I'm used to it. I get paraffin at the supermarket in the canning section. Another great video, Wes!!

[@jorymil]

Wes, you've outdone yourself with the effort you put into this one.

[@brimarie4196]

Videos like this really make me appreciate the time, knowledge, tools, and physical labor it takes to work on instruments. It's like artwork, and the cost musicians pay is worth every penny.

[@alfabsc]

Thanks for showing a clarinet overhaul. I was shocked that you washed the horn with Dawn! Maybe share how much of Dawn you add to a gallon of water. Looking forward to part 2.

[@dioluthier]

Every video more learning, I always stop to have a class and apply these concepts and teaching.👏👏👏👏

[@siewkheunloke9036]

Thank you for sharing your expertise, experience and knowledge. I'm sure many viewers are benefited from this detailed, comprehensive and informative video. Could you recommend toolkits for removing the register tube and the thumb tube?

[@FilosophicalPharmer]

As someone who knows personally how annoying an improperly installed clarinet cork is, THANK YOU for your care and concern and love of music.

[@FilosophicalPharmer]

PS - i have a "frame down" restoration of a Fender Rhodes electric piano under my belt. Need any help in your shop?! ☺️

[@GustavEngelund]

Dude i love this! Thank you so much for sharing all of this info!!

[@JRBecraftMPH]

Outstanding presentation.

[@GaryH001]

Enjoying your longer videos. The clarinet rework was very interesting. But, it’s been a month, still waiting for part 2. (Hint hint)

[@thadwelch8888]

Hey Wes, Thad Welch. I don’t know if you remember me but we graduated from Red Wing together. I ran across your channel a few months ago and really enjoy reminiscing on the old days of when I used to do band instrument repair. Thanks for the videos, keep up the good work!

[@ivorwm2291]

Superb job! How about a video of how to take care of your clarinet and preventative maintenence? I think it might be a good idea to instruct clarinetist how to take the best care of their horns

[@thebowinarrow8398]

I like your videos, although I am not a wind player i find these videos very interesting and educational

[@Sonny_Eclipse]

I’m a pretty handy guy but I don’t think I’d ever get that pile of parts put back together

[@Melonheadinbed]

i love this stuff. i just checked out your webpage and it’s really neat seeing someone with a specialized set of skills just going to work and helping out as many people as possible. i know you have a fee but instrument repair isn’t a dime a dozen speciality. people are lucky to have access to your skillset. we are lucky you are documenting your process so candidly. have a great week! look forward to part 2

[@Whina_Bell]

I love how thorough this video has been - thank you!

[@victormedina177]

The oiling is going much easier with a turkey feather inside and a paintbrush outside.

[@tasogaremilky]

リペア動画いつも楽しみにしています。色々な管楽器の動画楽しみにしています。

[@moyate11]

I love this channel, Wes, very cool stuff.

[@moyate11]

I'd love to see you straighten out the side Eb key, the most bendable key, apparently.

[@jamiealexandermacdonald6686]

You have such an incredible practiced feel and instinct for this work Wes. Amazing to watch you work.

[@erniearruda8861]

Another tip on dis assembled clarinet keys is I put the hinge rods back in ,and dip the body in a chemical bath (plastic clarinets only) ,removes a lots of plaque,tarter and mineral deposits from your saliva,brush out with soap and water gets it clean like your teeth when you come out from the dentist. Wooden clarinets with blue steel springs do not put in Acid , it will remove the blue coating and it will completely rust out and break off. Plus it will turn nickel plating and silver plating a pinkish to reddish stain that is hard to buff off. Blue steel and aluminum does not mix well with any kind of acid. Normally chemical cleaning agent is made from phosphoric acid(same ingredient in coke and Pepsi colas). So DO NOT put it in the acid.

[@Finn-McCool]

I wonder if Lemon oil would be a good choice to coat that incredibly beautiful M'pingo. I've always held to using the oil of the material I'm working with from the same type of material. If that makes sense. Wood derived oil for wood, Animal oil for animal skin, Vegetable oil for...salad LOL

[@rumba7]

Why not cut the tenon cork to the exact size that you need rather than cutting it larger and then trimming off the excess?

[@bomaite1]

A friend of mine recommends using an oil he gets at the organic food store. He is sensitive to the petroleum odor that comes off of most of the oils that are made for this purpose. He also, probably rightly, claims that the petroleum stuff is really bad for you, even breathing it in. What he uses is called Block Oil, and is made by, you guessed it, the Block Bros. It is really inexpensive and smells pretty good, in my opinion. Check it out.

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

I have those same breathing issues and after a deep dive into some MSDS sheets, we started looking for a change. I have used that Block oil and it’s good on some things and not good on others, which is typical. Since this video was posted we have moved almost all of our oils/ greases, etc. to FDA approved food safe products. Loving the results we are getting.

[@TiredLazyFish_]

I'm a first year on a clarinet and I saw your trumpet repair and decided I wanted to see if you did clarinet, because I'm not good at remembering my cork grease (the corks are still intact) and one of the things lost its padding and the part my thumb rests on (I don't know the name of the stuff on the clarinet lol) Is half gone.

[@terrydoberstein6742]

Thank you for the post. A video I was hoping for.

[@rootvalue]

Hope there is a part two! Thanks for these long format videos Wes. I love watching your craft.

[@RaphaelDoherty]

I love your videos

[@garybrady9531]

good explanation

[@baseemsalha3073]

Thanks 🙏🙏🙏

[@1bignordic759]

Hey Wes, I always enjoy your videos! I still have my poker tool from Red Wing too! I use the Ferree's X183 cork sanding accessory in my drill press for sanding tenon corks and really like it. When I worked in a big shop we spun them on a lathe. What are you using for cork grease? I like the waxing method and installing the tenon corks before oiling. Great video! Thanks Wes!

[@kristimiller-lee2338]

I remember how intimidating all of those keys were in my first disassembles. I know my repad time is still slow but getting better.

[@koreandemon5426]

Got an oboe sent in to a shop recently, new cork came back uneven and messy, really sad, but glad the instrument got new cork (school instrument sent to Music And Arts, just glad they fixed an instrument for once, usually they either don’t do anything or the instrument comes back worse than before)

[@stwl1234]

i also really liked your video with the screw thing... im overgoing my Leblanc, the old student model, i bought 2 years ago, used, and overhouled it back then, but after seeing your videos og screwing holes... i think that it is what is called.... Im getting less looss keys.... Thanks

[@mikerichards6311]

👍

[@monaquinney4256]

I just stumbled upon your channel and I found it very interesting. Do u work on instruments for other people. I would love to have u give my clarinet an overhaul.

[@mauriciowilson8829]

¡¡Qué lástima...!! Éste video no está completo.... esperaba ver el final y oir el clarinete...

[@jrryc1]

How much for full pad replacement for à bundy bflat clarinet. 80s era. There's no damage

[@pL3Ym0b1L]

The part you wash the instrument, is it ok to do it on a wooden clarinet? Great video thank you!

[@CaiValProcillus]

well, small small world ... I have the same next to me ! ^^

[@ms-mac521]

👍👍👍

[@matthewmillar3804]

Wait, you washed a wooden clarinet in a tub of dish soap like it was a dirty plate? Wow, I didn't think it was ok to get wood that wet. Cool. Do you do any surface treatment to a plastic clarinet?

[@gaetangarcia1613]

Hi, I absolutely loved this video. For one thing, it makes you understand why a clarinet overhaul is expensive. Plus, I would really like to try and do this myself, you know, buying a beaten instrument of course. I was wondering why you did not do the washing after removing the corks. Any reason to that?

[@1090yoyo]

Great video ! I'm only wondering wether it's a plastic clarinet or a wooden one ? I plan to overhaul an old wooden clarinet (not much value, it will be a learning project) that's pretty dirty and while I have experience changing pads, seating it, adjusing mechanics etc. I have no idea of how I can clean the body without damaging it. If I dip a wooden clarinet in oil soap and water, won't it damage the wood?

[@ryandodd8941]

If you do not have a bench girder how would you buff the keys/body?

[@jimschlueter3264]

I have a trumpet that needs a through going thru and repaired as well as being buff to a great shine. Where do I send it to get it to you. Time would not super critical on how fast I get it back but hopefully within a month or two.

[@Atochabsh]

You wentto Red Wing. I went to Renton VoTech

[@andradesax8941]

Como faz para Deixa a parafina assim ?

[@michaelschwichtenberg3085]

Hello, thank you for your videos. I started yesterday with a Yamaha YCL61. My first overhaul. So far everything is working fine. I broke a screw but managed to get it out. How many times have you pricked your hand with a spring? That really hurts! Greetings from Germany, Michael

[@anthonyjohnson4801]

what settings do you use on the ultrasonic cleaner?

[@carlrasmussen3267]

There are different ultrasonic tanks available to us techs. I use an Ultrasonic Power 90 gal tank, Tesch classic Brass cleaner, set at 50% to 60% intensity. I'm wondering which brand of ultrasonic tank, cleaner, and what level of intensity it is set at?

[@PacoElMapache]

what are your thoughts on thread wrapped tenons? I really like the different colors' that we can have, but practically speaking, is it not idea for a clarinet?

[@JohnResciniti]

Why not take the tenon corks off before you clean the upper and lower joints?

[@andyrobinson6286]

Would a clarinet made by Cadet be worth salvaging?

[@asulwer]

how do i buff the keys if i don’t have a buffing machine?

[@gncc600]

Does Wes repair guitars?

[@Ninjasticks]

Where did you go to repair school?

[@n.girigorie6241]

Where can i order the clarinet board?

[@puertoriqueno24]

How do I send my clarinet to this guy

[@zeeshanzee8450]

hello sir all tools band ripening parjis

[@Hertog_von_Berkshire]

Question: Are the chimneys machined into the tubes (the joints) or are they made separately then applied?

[@erniearruda8861]

It’s both .lower end clarinets of brand names still use the machined tone holes and then glued in .On your higher end clarinets mostly pro and custom made clarinets (made out of wood) they are machined and turned from a single stock of wood from tone holes to the finger chimnies. Some intermediate clarinets could have both ways,depending on the manufacturers and price points.Hope that helps.

[@bmcgar]

Seventy bucks for a Feree's assembly board? Ain't happenin' for me.

[@whosaubrey7524]

wes, i have a problem. my teacher told me to superglue the rings on to my clarinet barrel and that was before i knew they are supposed to come off. they didn’t go all the way on and make me a little more flat than i was before. how do i get them off??

[@starportscull]

Some thoughts for you: 1. Take the horn to a good repair tech. 2. Find out and share what your teacher was thinking. Their intention could help direct the repair. 3. Super glue removal risks irreparable damage. Leave it to a trusted tech. Just another commenter risking the pitfalls of anonimity....

[@Jaimechairez_jr]

Do you play any instruments?

[@ektoraskontos3384]

Where can i find a hot air torch?

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Got all of mine from Amazon. There are some music suppliers that also sell their brands

[@ektoraskontos3384]

@@wesleemusicrepair9820 Thank you very much for the reply!

[@foliosis101]

Where is Pt. 2???

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Part 2 kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKXYcqKirc9-d6c

[@waynepollard6879]

Stop that yelling !