Monday, April 22, 2024
OUCH! Don't Use THAT For Emergencies
by Jessica Losey
Repair Technician, PMC St. Louis
When emergencies arise, directors sometimes have to improvise. When you find yourself in that situation and need a quick fix to get by until repair is available, here are some important tips.
DON'T USE:
- Rubber Bands. Commercial rubber bands are vulcanized--a process where they are treated with sulfur to improve elasticity and flexibility. When a rubber band is stretched, this creates heat. Sulfur degasses onto the object it is wrapped around. This will molecularly burn into materials used on band instruments including silver, brass, and lacquer.
- Super Glue. Although this product does have its uses, and is readily available at supermarkets, this glue contains "cyanoacrylates". When heated, this releases small amounts of cyanide gas and can be harmful to the technician removing this material. We use heat in the forms of flame, heat guns, and friction.
- JB Weld. This resin and hardener mix-type epoxy should not be used on instruments. It is incredibly difficult to remove, and the process of removal can cause damage to lacquer and silver plating.
USE INSTEAD:
- Zip Ties, Electrical Tape, Painter's Tape. These will usually get the job done (temporarily) without damaging the instrument.
Most metal-on-metal connections on instruments are solders. This is a metal blend that is melted and cooled between two other surfaces of metal. The metal blends have different melting points and allow technicians to repair multiple applications to prevent burning and blistering lacquer or silver.
Contact Your Local Palen Music Center Representative
Can we assist you with anything? Please contact your local Palen Music Center school road representative for all of your music education needs.
| (417) 882-7000 | (573) 256-5555 | (816) 792-8301 |
| (417) 781-3100 | (405) 896-8111 | (479) 464-8877 |
| (918) 286-1555 | (636) 229-1904 | (913) 234-4454 |
| (316) 262-1487 | (417) 882-7000 |
If you would like to submit material, make corrections, give comments, or wish to be removed from this mailing list, please contact David Gorham.