Non-Slip Workbench Surface

Hello Harp Techs,

When setting up my shop for filming of the Harp Tech Study Series, I thought it would spruce things up a bit by covering my stainless steel work bench top with brown suede. Not real leather--but an inexpensive faux suede contact paper product (found at most hardware/homeware stores).

“It looks terrific, you say--but quietly you are thinking; what does this have to do with harmonicas”? Read on ...

To my surprise, I discovered the suede material to be an awesome non-scratching surface for harp tech work. The material is kind to soft brass, as well as providing gripping power to hold reed plates, and sanding sheet mounted acrylic without clamping.

Here, I am flattening the mating surface of the draw reed plate. Flat reed plates will bond better to the comb, ensuring airtightness that will result in a more responsive (read: easier to bend) harmonica.

Check out the surface of this draw reed plate … nice!

In this next application, one fractured reed (reed #1), and one broken (reed #2) was removed and the reed plate was prepared for new reed replacements.

After removing the rivets, a #54 pilot hole and 0-80 tap left a brass burr around the holes--slightly distorting the surface of the reed plate.

Surgically sanding away the burrs from the two holes was a breeze. The reed plates did not shift at all during this process.

Compare the sanded area of reed #1 to reed #2

Remember, a flat mating surface between the replacement reed rivet pad and the reed plate, will result in a superior playing harmonica.

Effective and economical--good reasons to try faux suede on top of your workbench surface.

Your Harpsmith, Kinya