Hi, After looking around the internet, I came to the conclusion that this seems like the best tool to get for this job. However, while I do have some Seydels, most of my harps are Marine Bands (and some other Hohners), and I noticed that the places that sell the Seydel tool have a disclaimer that it hasn't been tested for other brands. Have any of you used it for brands like Hohner? Also, are there better and less expensive ways to pop reeds out for replacement? Thanks. Rich
Check out this at Rockin Rons http://rockinronsmusicsd.com/greg-jones-de-riveting-tool.html From what I have heard it's pretty good The Richrd Sleigh deriveter/ riveter is also well spoken of. I have Andrew Zajac's tools, which are very nice and compact, an make putting a reed on with a screw easier. I am tempted to get one of the Sleigh or Jones rivet tool to make rivet removal/ replacement easier. Hopefully someone with some experience will comment.
@Rgsccr - I wouldn't buy a tool that hasn't been tested on all the harps I own. I don't own any Suzuki harps (the Sleigh tool is not for Suzuki harps) so I would be inclined to buy a tool which was dedicated to the harps in my bag. Why not get the best tool in the business for Hohner harps according to all of those folks who really know this area of expertise and get the latest tools from Richard Sleigh, also at Rockin Rons: http://rockinronsmusicsd.com/index.php?search%5Bkeywords%5D=sleigh&_a=category
Last Edited by Owen Evans on Apr 16, 2016 5:56 AM
If I replace mine, I will find these somewhere for $15. But, Seydel's kit has other things in it, reamers, taps & pin vises, etc. that are a little more difficult to source.
Having said all that, I would go with Richard Sleigh's tools.
I make no claim that it's the best but it is certainly one of if not the cheapest. It's worked well for me for over a decade, well enough that I feel that I can spend my harmonica money elsewhere instead of replacing it.
The basis of my system is a small anvil made from a 2" x 3" x 1/4" thick piece of bar steel that has a slot machined in it. It came with the Hering toolkit that I bought way back when. You can lay a reed plate flat with it because the row of rivet heads fits down into that slot.
The anvil was intended to be used with a small pointed punch that also came with the toolkit but I don't use that any more. It worked well enough to remove the rivet but it always separated the rivet from the reed. That was a problem because I actually like to use "used" rivets to affix transplanted reeds. Fiddling with tiny loose rivets was a problem though. (Not a problem with a rivet stick, but why use a rivet stick if there's an easier and cheaper way?)
So I turned the very tip of a round punch to have a little nipple that is just smaller in diameter than a rivet shank and just shorter than the thickness of a reed plate. That way the rivet and reed "assembly" are pushed ~almost~ but not quite free of the reed plate. This makes it easy to remove the reed with its rivet still attached with your fingers. And that makes it very quick and easy to reinstall the reed into the recipient reed plate. No more fiddling with tiny rivets.
I happen to have a miniature combo lathe/vertical milling machine that I used to modify the round punch. But it would be easy and inexpensive for your local machinist to make both a slotted plate and the modified round punch for you. A case of beer might just do the trick.
It takes me all of two minutes to replace a damaged reed with this rig.
Michelle
---------- SilverWing Leather - Custom leather creations for musicians and other eccentrics.
Last Edited by mlefree on Apr 16, 2016 8:52 AM
Thanks for the suggestions. I should have mentioned that I have a Lee Oskar kit and other assorted tools so I don't want to buy one of the complete kits. I think I will give the de-riveter that Theiven Heathen referenced off the Beadaholic website a try. For $13 it looks like it should do the trick.
Last Edited by Rgsccr on Apr 16, 2016 9:58 AM
Richard Sleigh has produced an excellent tool which is specific to this job. I know it's pricey but it really is very good. Better than the pliers, but they are fine I guess. I made many repairs using pliers and also with a home made slotted anvil. The Sleigh tool is a pleasure to use though and will have you installing reeds with rivets too. And Richard is such a stalwart of the harp repair and customisation scene, I am happy to support his endeavour. Small cost really and it truly is a pleasure to replace reeds using this tool
I was checking out those hole punching pliers. Very cool. But my jaw dropped when I saw this.
It's the Beadsmith EZ-Rivet Piercing And Setting Tool. $54.99. It bears a remarkable resemblance to Richard's reed replacement jig. The video in which they demonstrate its use is actually a bit eerie for me.
It seems to me that it would either work OTOB or be easily modified to remove and replace reeds.
I may have to check it out.
Michelle
---------- SilverWing Leather - Custom leather creations for musicians and other eccentrics.
Last Edited by mlefree on Apr 17, 2016 2:54 AM
