How to Glue Corks to Clarinets
Symphony orchestras, concert bands and marching bands are music groups that likely feature clarinets. A clarinets, a member of the woodwind family, is a cylindrical, black musical instrument with nickel-plated, silver or gold keys. Clarinets are single-reed instruments. The most common type of clarinet is a B flat clarinet, but A clarinets, high-pitched E flat clarinets and bass clarinets also are popular. Clarinets are fragile and easily can be broken, so if you play the clarinet it is important to know how to fix it. Corks are one part of the clarinet that can break.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Remove old cork from the joint of the clarinet. Peel the cork off if it has already come loose. Pry the cork off with a scalpel if it is still glued on, but be careful to avoid scraping the wood.
-
2
Cut a new piece of cork that is the same width as the old one. Use a scalpel to cut the cork. Measure the new piece slightly longer to allow some extra room to work as you secure the cork to your clarinet.
-
-
3
Wrap the new cork around the joint where the old cork used to be. Trim the ends with a scalpel if they are too long. Pull the cork tight so that it won't slide when you put your clarinet together.
-
4
Sand the cork until it is about the same strength as the old piece. Do not to attach cork that is too strong because it can crack the wood of your clarinet when you slide the joints together. The new cork should be almost as flexible as the old cork.
-
5
Glue the cork to the clarinet with contact glue. Wrap it tightly, and glue the ends together. Allow the glue to dry before putting your clarinet together.
-
6
Flatten the new cork with sandpaper. Avoid the wood as you sand because damaged wood can cause the joints of your clarinet to fit too loosely, and your clarinet may fall apart. Sand the cork until it is flat enough to fit inside the joint without being forced.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit NA/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
