Stainless Steel Reeds
Hi Winslow,
Which is the best model of dremel tool/tip to use for tuning Seydel Steel Reeds? I can't scrape anything off these reeds with the normal tool. Even a file isn't working very well.
-Taylor
I use the little rotary tool that Kinya has mentioned before. I got it through Micromart, but I think they are widely available. I think from the factory that they only tune the reeds by removing material from the tip. This can sometimes be problematic in that the further tuning of those reeds leaves a sort of divet in the reed tip. It is a bit of a hassle with the smaller, higher reeds. Double true if you tune the blow plate on the comb.
I don't like using files or scrappers on those reeds.
Finally, it is pretty easy to replace the reeds with the rivets Seydel uses. They have a large enough head that they are easy to work with.
***I thought stainless steal was supposed to last forever and never drop out of tune, lol. In all seriousness, I doubt these claims. While they could maybe be more reliable over brass for a period of time, you'll have to do regular maintenance like any other harp. If anything, in my experience, once they drop out of tune noticeably, they are very close to breaking. Not always true of brass.
I like the stock tuning as well.
I haven't used a Dremel for tuning. I'd suggest a low speed and, at least to start, a fairly mild abrasive.
Today I tuned up a steel accordion reed using the fine Swiss file that comes with Richard Sleigh's tool kit. This worked fine. However, it was a large reed and it took more work to get a result than with a smaller harmonica reed. In the past I've also used sanding wands on accordion reeds.
Also, accordion reeds are steel but not stainless steel, which may be harder.