DIY Oboe Staples
The oboe is a woodwind instrument. It is distinctive because it has a double-reed. The mouthpiece is connected to two pieces of cane, which are concealed inside a hollow tube. The tube is mounted inside a staple, which is typically made from cork. The staple’s job is to secure the tube and provide resistance against air, so when you blow all of your breath passes through the tube. You can save money by making your own staples at home. This way you can build them to your exact specification and preference.
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Instructions
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1
Measure the length of the oboe tube. Tubes typically vary in size from approximately 3 inches to 5 inches, of which approximately 1 inch protrudes from the top of the staple.
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2
Measure the diameter of the tube.
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3
Clean a wine cork by soaking it in soapy water. If you’d prefer not to use a used wine cork, you can purchase a cork stopper from a fishing supplies store.
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4
Leave the cork to dry for an hour.
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5
Cut the cork with a pocket knife, so it is approximately 1 inch shorter than the length of the tube.
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6
Measure the diameter of aperture at the top of the oboe, where the staple fits.
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7
Size the cork so it is the same diameter as the aperture. Do this by sanding down the sides of the cork until it is slim enough to fit in the aperture.
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8
Hollow out the center of the cork. Push a knitting needle through the center of the cork and move the needle back and forth to create a smooth opening.
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Wrap a small piece of sandpaper around the end of the knitting needle, feed the needle back into the opening and rub the inside of the cork to hollow it out further. Try to insert the tube. If it doesn’t fit, continue rubbing with the sandpaper. Without precision measuring equipment, this is a gradual tweaking process. It’s preferable to slowly remove the cork from the center, rather than cutting a large hole. If you cut too large a hole, you’ll need to start over with a new cork. It’s also preferable that hole be approximately the same diameter as the tube. This way the cork will grip tube once inserted.
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10
Slot the tube into the cork and push it so the bottom of the tube is level with the bottom of the cork. It now functions as an oboe staple.
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Slot the staple into the top of the oboe. Fit the reed into the top of the tube.
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Tips & Warnings
Use the finished staple as a template to make some spares.
References
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