The most important accomplishment in this stage is to obtain the air-tight seal. This is accomplished by 1. preparing the cane, 2. making sure it is straight on the tube, and 3. maintaining string tension. (see figure 2, above)

 

*A video overview is included at the end of this section. It is a good supplement, and can be watched before and after reading these instructions. It is slow and deliberate, and will also help clarify the steps in real-time. Care must be taken to not let the cane dry out during the tying.

Step 1. Soak the Cane

Step 1. Soak the Cane

Soak Cane for about 20 minutes. Make sure it is completely covered in the water, not floating on the top (see figure 3). You can test how flexible it is by trying to bend it slightly with your finger. You want it soaked well enough that it won’t crack when it is wrapped around the tiny tube*.

 

*note: it is okay if it cracks below the string (see the cane in the picture at the beginning of the blog, above). Note for more advanced reed makers: If you are having trouble with your reeds leaking, you may be soaking the cane too long, causing the cane to swell. If care is taken during the tying steps , however, the leaking more likely is an error in shaping the cane, making the edge crooked.

Step 2. Measure the Tube

Step 2. Measure the Tube

The standard tube length is 27 millimeters, but you want to know exactly. You will tie the string at the very end of the tube, and you may not be able to see it when it is covered by the cane. Knowing the length will allow you to know if you are tying to the end of the tube or beyond.

 

Tying beyond the end of the tube may “choke” the reed, or keep it from vibrating. It could also crack the cane.


Step 3. Fit the Tube to the mandrel.

Step 3. Fit the Tube to the mandrel.

A good fit should come to (or near) the end of the tube, but not poke through.            

Step 4. Tie the Thread to a Solid Object

Step 4. Tie the Thread to a Solid Object

A table leg is good. A music stand is not solid enough. You will be pulling quite hard. Notice the tension demonstrated in Figure 2 at the beginning of this section (page 5).

Step 5. Fitting Cane to tube (Figures 5, 6a and 6b)

Step 5. Fitting Cane to tube (Figures 5, 6a and 6b)

A. Slowly and carefully bend the cane along the existing fold. If it doesn’t want to bend in half without breaking, soak it longer.

 

B. Fit the cane over the tube. Hold the cane firmly on the tube with the thumb and forefinger for the next few steps (see figure 6a). Adjust and straighten the cane on the tube (figure 6b).

Figure 5.

Figure 5.
Fitting Cane to Tube (step 5)

Figure 6a.

Figure 6a.
hold the cane on the tube with thumb and forefinger

Figure 6b

Figure 6b
fit cane to tube: cross-section diagram

Step 6. Measure Reed on tube

Step 6. Measure Reed on tube

73 millimeters is a good tying length for standard -1 shape cane. Measure from the bottom of the tube (figure 7).

Figure 7

Figure 7

Step 7. First Loop

Step 7. First Loop

Loop the string around the cane and tube once. Check: Is the cane still straight on the tube? (in all directions)

No posts.
No posts.