logansays
113 posts
May 06, 2014
4:15 AM
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Hello everybody,
I have a few Marine bands and I want to convert them to screws. ( I have sealed combs/screws/bits etc)
I have read and seen videos of the conversion using a drill press. And it has been strongly recommended...
The problem is I do not have one! and can't seem to find one locally and international shipping is out of the question!
How much wrong can I go with a regular Electric hand drill+ or a manual hand drill? and what precautions do I take?
Will appreciate your inputs and help on this! Thanks in advance!!
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arzajac
1361 posts
May 06, 2014
5:20 AM
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You can get away with it for sure. But it's tough to keep things aligned.
If you forego tapping one of the reed plates and drill 1/8 inch holes in both plates and the comb, you get a lot more clearance and you can compensate for error.
To fasten things together, you will be using nuts. That's much more difficult to assemble but it's quick and cheap if all you are doing is a handful of harps.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on May 06, 2014 6:12 AM
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isaacullah
2745 posts
May 06, 2014
6:47 AM
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Agree with Andrew's answer. I've done maybe ten marine band conversions with just a hand drill. It's never "perfect", but they work. If you drill larger holes and use nuts, it makes getting everything aligned MUCH easier.
A drill press is, of course, to be preferred if available....
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YouTube! Soundcloud!
Last Edited by isaacullah on May 06, 2014 6:48 AM
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HarpNinja
3871 posts
May 06, 2014
7:50 AM
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I have a $60 drill press that sits right no a table. There are more expensive ones, including ones that have their own bases that would work no the floor too.
IMO, I find if you want it as close to perfect as you can get, drill the plates attached to the comb you'll be using - stock or otherwise.
If I am using an aftermarket comb, I assemble the harp using screws and nuts in the cover plate holes. Then I drill the holes in the draw plate using the nail holes as guides. I stop and check alignment before drilling through the blow plate with the same bit (and spend the money on nice bits as they are cheap and readily available).
I then take the harp apart and re-drill the blow plate with a larger bit for wiggle room. I then tap the draw plate.
You'll want to check for flatness then. I sand the draw plate and use an even larger drill bit to deburr the blow plate on the reed side. I then flat sand the top of the blow plate.
IMO, I'd rather just start with something with screws already or reassemble with nails.
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Mike
My Website
My Harmonica Effects Blog
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logansays
114 posts
May 07, 2014
1:36 AM
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I think Ill get a drill press! would be useful for future conversions as well.
Thank you guys for the help/advice. Appreciate it!
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