Matzen
128 posts
Mar 31, 2011
9:19 PM
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I was just looking into harmonica tool kits. I've seen a Hohner tool kit that comes in a zippered carry case, and I've also seen a Hohner tool kit that comes in a case that looks like an eye glass case. I can't seem to find the zippered case tool kit anywhere? It looks a bit nicer than the other one? Are these hard to come by? Anyone have any recomdations on a good kit? I play mostly play Hohner harps so I thought a Hohner kit would be the way to go. Maybe I could assemble a better (and cheaper)kit on my own?
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Joch230
451 posts
Apr 01, 2011
8:36 AM
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I just ordered Richard Sleigh's toolkit. His tools are highly recommended. His draw-scraper is used by a few of the customizers on this forum. I think HarpNinja uses one...
-John
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Blind Melon
43 posts
Apr 10, 2011
5:42 PM
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Hey Matzen,
I have the Lee Oskar Harmonica Repair Tool Kit. I am not a customizer, but I do retune, gap, and adjust my harps as needed.
For me this kit works just fine for what I do on my Hohner Special 20 harps. I got my kit at Elderly Instruments.
http://elderly.com/new_instruments/items/LORK.htm
I hope this helps.
Last Edited by on Apr 10, 2011 5:47 PM
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arzajac
490 posts
Apr 10, 2011
8:04 PM
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Does the Lee Oskar reed wrench fit hohner reeds? I don't think it does.
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MrVerylongusername
1658 posts
Apr 11, 2011
12:23 AM
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No it doesn't.
I use the LO kit supplemented with Richard Sleigh's stripped down kit that has his really useful reed lifters (with Hohner sized reed wrenches) and the amazing draw scraper.
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MP
1593 posts
Apr 11, 2011
8:11 AM
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you can make a scraper from a wire hanger. just clip a 6" section, file it flush and go. it doesn't draw but who cares? it works exceptionally well. dull? file it down again.
my hohner kit came w/ a hardened steel scraper rod where i got this idea.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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ridge
236 posts
Apr 11, 2011
8:20 AM
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One day I'll spring for Richard's kit or maybe Jim's...
I bought an exacto knife kit that has a hardened steel needle that fits into one of the supplied handles. I use it for plinking, embossing and unembossing. I also use it to clean the crud out of my hamonicas. My reed wrench is a small set of pliers on a swiss army knife.
I also have been experimenting with refinishing my wood combed harmonicas and decided I wanted to do tine corner rounding. I took a chop stick and wrapped sand paper around it and taped it. So far it works well too.
Last Edited by on Apr 11, 2011 8:20 AM
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MP
1594 posts
Apr 11, 2011
9:30 AM
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ridge,
yeah, that's the way to go. you can manufacture or buy anything you need w/out having to go over-priced sooper dooper pro reccomended stuff. joe spiers uses an 0-ring pick to gap.
a very small pen knife blade is a good fine tuning scraper. embossing tools abound. the tooth pick is a great tool. so is wire. i make all in one wrench/plinker/reed support tools out of gages.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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oldwailer
1585 posts
Apr 11, 2011
3:12 PM
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Another DIY that works well for me--drill a small drill bit into a hunk of scrap wood that is suitable for a handle--then fill the hole with crazy glue and shove the drill bit back in--drill end first. Now--get out your grinder and make what ever case hardened tool you want with the blunt end--just be sure to keep dipping the tip as you work--too much heat will kill the temper of the bit.
I have an embossing tool that works really well from this method--I just ground a long angle on the tip then sharpened it--I can emboss the whole slot with it--then use it as a scraper to tune--also makes a great plinker--and it stays sharp for a long time.
For me, the Richard Sleigh kit is still a great buy--the scraper works even with the harp assembled, (covers off), using Richard's method, which I think is on YT.
Reed wrenches are easy to make out of thick feeler gauges if you have a Dremmel. . .
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Always be yourself--unless you suck. . .
-Joss Whedon
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REM
53 posts
Apr 11, 2011
3:51 PM
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Oldwailer, Is the embossing tool you're describing the same as the one that Rick Epping uses? (Rick Estrin's Embossing Tools - The second tool shown on the page)
I've been wanting to try making one to see how it works for awhile now. I think I'll definately give your method a try. Thanks.
Last Edited by on Apr 11, 2011 6:08 PM
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Matzen
157 posts
Apr 11, 2011
8:33 PM
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Great DIY ideas guys! Keep 'em coming!
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oldwailer
1586 posts
Apr 11, 2011
11:14 PM
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@REM--Yeah--I think I did get the idea here from somebody--I don't really remember if it's Rick Estrin or not, and the link you give just takes me to some Google thingy--not a page of tools--anyway--it works great. . .
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Always be yourself--unless you suck. . .
-Joss Whedon
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arzajac
493 posts
Apr 12, 2011
4:54 AM
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"Oldwailer, Is the embossing tool you're describing the same as the one that Rick Epping uses? (Rick Estrin's Embossing Tools - The second tool shown on the page)"
I think you mean Rick Epping in your link, not Rick Estrin.
MP- "i make all in one wrench/plinker/reed support tools out of gages. "
So do I, but I find it very difficult to work with the metal. To make a reed wrench, it takes me about an hour of filing down a 1/8 inch square gap in the end of the feeler gauge. How do you do it?
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Last Edited by on Apr 12, 2011 4:57 AM
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jim
793 posts
Apr 12, 2011
8:58 AM
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I've got some tappers for marine bands
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Free Harp Learning Center
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MP
1597 posts
Apr 12, 2011
9:56 AM
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arazajac, it's primitive, but works. i'm one of those guys who insist on swinging the reed away from the slot for embossing. therefore fancy embossing tools don't impress me. 7/16 socket is great.
i make two parallel cuts at the end of a stainless steel gage with tin snips. these are my jaws. i bend down the tounge i've created and cut it off. then file the tiny square slot carefully so my wrench isn't too big.
thin gages are best. you don't need heavy duty ones because reed seats aren't very thick.
takes me a few minutes. i use a hohner wrench or a loose reed as a template. i'll grind the opposite end to a knife edge
so i can plink even very tightly gapped reeds.
it can be a pain, but i no longer take forever filing.
i'm sure there are dremel tools to do this quite fast.
i just don't have a dremel.
i doubt i've enlightened you.
cheers
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
Last Edited by on Apr 12, 2011 10:02 AM
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HarpNinja
1325 posts
Apr 12, 2011
10:17 AM
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MP
Have you tried a fancy embossing tool and used it correctly?
I have two completely full work benches of tools for harmonica. Due to the niche market, only a handful of the tools are harmonica specific - Richard Sleigh kit, Herring Kit, and the UST from Dick Sjoeberg.
While I rely heavily on Richard's scrapper and the wrench/plinker, I could live without them as their desired effect can be replicated (although the scrapper is a huge time saver for certain things).
I would be shattered if anything happened to my UST. The time it saves alone on one harp is worth it. The results cannot be denied.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Last Edited by on Apr 12, 2011 10:18 AM
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MP
1599 posts
Apr 12, 2011
10:35 AM
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no,
but i'm selling scientifically designed wire hanger scrapers for 19.95.
i love kinya and he's always praising the newest better mousetrap. i work super fast with a socket.
i use sanding wands too sometimes. is that okay w/ you?
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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arzajac
494 posts
Apr 12, 2011
10:45 AM
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MP - "i doubt i've enlightened you."
Actually, you did. I bought a dremel-type tool and it just mangles the metal because it's so pliable. I never thought of using a thinner feeler gauge as a reed wrench - I just assumed I needed a fairly thick one and so I never thought of snipping it... I will do that.
I file the end of thin gauges to use as a plinker, too.
When you swing the reed out, do you have to hammer the rivet in once you are done? I've never done full-slot embossing...
Cheers!
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HarpNinja
1327 posts
Apr 12, 2011
10:57 AM
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@MP
No need to get defensive. I shared my experience with the forum on a few tools that I personally like a lot. I was simply curious if you were sharing your opinion on embossing tools based on perception or experience.
I don't play your harps so I don't care how you do them. I was just wondering if you'd tried any harp-specific embossing tools.
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Mike
Quicksilver Custom Harmonicas
Last Edited by on Apr 12, 2011 10:57 AM
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MP
1600 posts
Apr 12, 2011
11:18 AM
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arazajac,
sometimes i'll tap the rivets very lightly if i think they are loose. you have to be careful because a misshapen rivet from overzealousness can cause problems.
but i almost never tap them tighter as insurance. i find that if a rivet is loose it's normally a factory thing and not from pivoting the reed.
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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arzajac
495 posts
Apr 12, 2011
12:49 PM
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MP - Now I am enlightened. Thank you.
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Last Edited by on Apr 12, 2011 12:49 PM
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MP
1601 posts
Apr 12, 2011
1:23 PM
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arzajac,
no no, thank you!
i mean,i've used one of your flat sanding tricks.
works great!
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MP
doctor of semiotics and reed replacement.
"making the world a better place, one harmonica at a time"
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