Cool Tool Tuesday #1- band instrument repair

[@joshwilliams6285]

That strip of leather is, in itself, worthy of Cool Tool Tuesday!

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Love the leather strips, I use them all over the shop

[@wildtimbrown]

@@wesleemusicrepair9820 Have you tried kangaroo leather? It is said to be the strongest hide. I use it to make fittings for birds of prey...

[@tedonald]

Hi Wes! First may I say you are one helluva teacher! Common sense coupled with, when needed, out-of-the box thinking make your vids really informative. BTW, I'm a 70 yo retired pharmacist, played woodwinds all my life, and I learn something new every time I watch! Also, I love Ferree's tools too!

[@drorbengur]

You are such an inspiring teacher. Sending love from Tel Aviv, Israel.

[@kristimiller-lee2338]

I love the voice distortion. Plus that leak light shows the problem areas so well.

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Hahaha fun stuff

[@loserpiatt]

I'm glad to have finally found more info on the sneaky light. Thanks, time to place an order.

[@josephtein3835]

And this is part Q95 in the Ferree's catalog, $44.60 at the time I write this (for the 36" version).

[@worldofwoolol6082]

You sir are a Craftsman ! i really appreciate your skills and hard work. Thank You. peace people

[@harveyblankenship564]

When I was much younger, I was quite interested in becoming an Instrument Repair Technician. My parents were against this idea (though, they were quite okay w/me learning a Trade). In many ways, I still wish I had pursued this..... most especially, as it is hard to find a good Repairperson! After watching quite a few of your videos, I find myself second-guessing that early desire. I'm pretty good with my hands for most things but I really wonder if I could have learned to do all that you do! Thank the Good Lord for You and people like you - those who are true Craftsmen (Craftspersons?) and take pride in their work.

[@denisherman1]

Wes Lee, you are the best!!! The best speaker, teacher, repairman... I love you work!!!

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

That’s mighty lofty, but thank you for the compliment

[@Quadstriker]

It’s amazing how the right tool makes the job come together so well.

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

You are correct

[@gs1100ed]

The right tool must be in the right hands for it to be effective.

[@vicentejacuinde9484]

Thanks for sharing,your videos are so helpful 🙏

[@ЧеславРадюль]

Превосходно. Супер. Вы хороший учитель.

[@Talraidian]

Hey Wes, I just graduated from the Red Wing Band Repair program this last year, and we actually hand crafted a pearl protector in the shop. We were given a small length of metal and a flute key cup, and we fit the two parts together really precisely, and silver soldered the two together. Thought you might like to hear about that, and it does seem to work just as well as the one you showed in your video.

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Awesomeness. That was one of our first projects as well. I also still use it. Did you make the dowel handle for it as well? Thanks for sharing, I’m glad those projects are still being taught. Loved my time at Redwing

[@1bignordic759]

@@wesleemusicrepair9820 That was one of our first projects back in 1984! We used a clarinet pad cup and yes, we made a nice handle as well. COOL!

[@josephtein3835]

Hi Wes, I appreciate the helpful practical information! Take care.

[@Finn-McCool]

As a retired cabinet maker I've seen my fair share of wonders and blunders. Or as you say, $10 dollar links. Jigs are the most prominent money maker in the accomplished woodworker's arsenal. Because there's a fine line twix getting it set up properly or just muscling through and getting er did without a jig. One time I was sent to the production end of a job shop that I worked at in the 90s. (I think it was on a "Toolsday"). As I was tasked with making the run-of-the-mill parapet for our banking fixture division, I saw opportunity! And I was promptly berated by the old school lead man for the entire hour I wasted while making an angle cutting table saw slider jig for replicating the proper angle every time rather than cutting it close and taking it back and clamping on a guide board and routing it off with an old 1/2" single flute high speed steel bit that rode on its own shaft not even a bearing. Fine for the one-off. But not production. Years later I needed some CNC work done so I had them bid on the job and they won. I should have never told them that they were the only ones I called! Any way I walk in a decade later with this CNC project and there is old school, at the table saw, using "my" jig, that he hated on all those years ago. All he could do was smile and look at the clock. I got the point. The thing was plated in gold by then. Figuratively speaking of course.

[@1bignordic759]

Hi Wes! Thanks for another great video! I've been repairing for 37 years and I find your videos inspirational and educational. The leather trick on floating sax keys is a new one for me, can't wait to try it. What are you using for slide grease? Keep up the great work Wes, it means a lot to the BIR community!

[@MusicMediccom]

This is great, thank you for sharing!

[@BruceEEvans1]

Hi, Wes. I am an engineer (retired) and I have worked with tools all my life. I have woodworking tools, mechanic tools, electrical tools, electronic tools, luthiery tools, and gunsmithing tools. But I have been watching a few band instrument repair channels lately (I was a trombone player in a different life) and I am amazed at the array of specialty tools involved in your profession: mandrels, pearl shrinking dies, dent removal balls, etc. I can use a hammer to beat on most anything, but very many of your tools are specific to instrument repair, and therefore probably quite expensive. (Get to the point, Bruce.) How much do you think you have invested in the specialty tools required in your craft?

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

I’d rather not say, my wife thinks only a couple hundred bucks! Ha

[@keithcampbell6806]

Happy Christmas Wesley l love rhis answer

[@josephtein3835]

Watching this again, to review the details. Another creative approach for a pearl protector (besides Talraidian's) is ... I forget where I read this ... take a key from an old junk sax (high D/D#/F), remove the pad and there you have a little tool that will cover the pearl while you're heating the pad.

[@georgekanaan3949]

Dear my youtube teacher Wes, I just want to know how did you arranged the welding machine exactly the oxygen machine, and if can talk about it in any next video, thanks a lot for what you do for people who wants to know like me, best regards, wish you good time, from Lebanon 🇱🇧.

[@Gator1699]

I made a micro leak light purchases L E D light strip so you can get into tight spots sax necks to check the teeter Clarinet. Easy put together just solder some cable and banana plugs for your power sauce you can also adjust how bright or lower light you require. $25 use it all the time. Mobile Woodwind Service Aus Also do work in clients Homes. 🐊

[@dougberrett8094]

Cool tools sure, but your technique is cool too!

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Thanks!

[@piumal100]

Super i love it 👌👌👌👌👌👌

[@lordhelmet916]

You should video the next bari sax you repair

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

Will do

[@bgclarinet]

Is there a risk of putting an indentation in the back of the sax from hammering the shrinking die onto the thumb plate while it is soldered to the sax? Similar question for keys: can you shrink the pearls while the touch piece is soldered to the keys?

[@wesleemusicrepair9820]

The demo horn was a customer instrument. No, no damage. Remember that you are just shrinking a thin edge, so you are not striking that hard, and combined with the surface area, the thumb plate does not act as a punch. You CAN do damage if you are not careful. The key I demonstrated. I would take the key off and shrink using my bench block to avoid bending key cup. I would not suggest doing that on the horn. Once again you will notice I do not use much of a strike to close the die.

[@VoodooDewey69]

I have an uncle named Wesley ,maybe your him 😂

[@mikenixon4637]

So meticulous!