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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > Reed Screws
Reed Screws
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LevelUp
14 posts
Sep 03, 2017
7:08 PM
What screws are best for reed replacement?

I've replaced reeds by just using the attached rivet, but I'd like to try the screw method. It seems less error-prone and less likely to blow out the back of the reed plate.

I like Zajack's method, but I'm thinking a step can be saved by buying screws that are 1mm, to save the snip step, and, if reed plate is thick enough, to avoid having to sand the nub flat.

But finding such screws seems to be an exercise in futility. After some searching I figured I'd ask here. What screws do you use, why, and where do you get them?
SuperBee
4923 posts
Sep 03, 2017
7:53 PM
I think I bought some 1.5mm long screws, Just before I stopped using screws. Rivets are way easier for me, at least in Hohner harps. And Seydel, I generally reuse rivets in seydel harps, I use new rivets in hohners. Suzuki are kinda hard to rivet but it's also hard to get reeds for them so they don't usually get past my door. Lee oskars I repair when possible but common reeds are hard to get. Need a big boneyard.
But if the reed was previously fastened with a rivet I'll alwYs try that first. After several hundred done both ways I have no urge to use screws again.
Mobile phone parts, no doubt other electronic applications, you can get these small screws cheaply. I don't like the ones Seydel sell, the Hohner gold screws are probably the best on those sites, but cheap mobile phone screws will do the job. I have a few hundred I'll likely never use but postage probably would cost more than they're worth.
dchurch
146 posts
Sep 03, 2017
8:17 PM
I have used 1mm, 1.2mm, 1.5... long. Here's one place to buy them in small quantities. I use screws when I replace welded reeds. I still use rivets on the others. I don't see much difference in the work or results myself.

I have a small parts case with various lengths. The Lucky 13 for example has much thicker plates than a MB... A tiny screw that's a bit long can be buzzed flush in a flash with the roto-tool.

https://www.megasmicros.com/category_s/1859.htm
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It's about time I got around to this.
dchurch
147 posts
Sep 03, 2017
8:40 PM
Oh ya, here's my method of replacing welded reeds using screws (credited to Brendan Power).



The step by step instructions and recommended tools... are in the remarks section.

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It's about time I got around to this.
Thievin' Heathen
927 posts
Sep 04, 2017
2:11 PM
I bought a couple hundred cell phone screws like these I think (??? it's been awhile)
https://www.ebay.com/i/252288841470?var=551123250437&rt=nc
and a tap from McMaster Carr. Thread the plate. I never bothered with a locknut. I guess Lock-Tite might be an option, but I've never had one come loose.


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