Insane but it seals: pad solution

[Kriana]

Today I got sick of waiting for my tan kidskin pads to come in so that I could fix my long F key.

in a stroke of brilliance (or stupidity) I realized I had some easter themed self-stick craft foam decorations lying around.

So I used water soluble marker to trace around the edge of the inside of the pad cup and stamp an appropriately sized circle on a particularly large flower.

the *second* try fit and sealed -- on the first try I had too much excess toward the spring and the key wouldn't close all the way unless I mushed it down.

so if you're ever in a pinch and near a craft store, the colors are a bit garish, and I don't recommend it as a long term solution -- but craft foam seals...

Now experts... is there any reason why I shouldn't do this (short term)?

and what's the weirdest thing anyone else has used in place of pads?

[Jayhawk]

I use aquarium silicone sealant. Works very well, and custom forms to fit old key seats perfectly.

Eric

[treeshark]

what's the weirdest thing anyone else has used in place of pads?

I have trained large barnacles to live in the key cups, their adhesive feet make the perfect seal. You must play the flute frequently as they must be kept moist. Smaller limpits work well too but they can grip the seat too hard so that a key won't lift.

[Jennie]

and what's the weirdest thing anyone else has used in place of pads?

socks, which isn't that uncommon I'm told.

That was back in junior high. I don't really feel the need to use pads now.

Jennie

[michael c]

It's not all that weird, I'm afraid, but I've used clarinet pads, stuck on with "blu-tack". They work fine, certainly until the barnacles and limpets can be educated in the finer arts of sealing flute keys, and in how to hold their breath for so long out of their saline comfort zones.

[dow]

what's the weirdest thing anyone else has used in place of pads?

I have trained large barnacles to live in the key cups, their adhesive feet make the perfect seal. You must play the flute frequently as they must be kept moist. Smaller limpits work well too but they can grip the seat too hard so that a key won't lift.

I've heard of this. However, a little-known side effect is that after you apply the barnacles and limpets, the flute will only play sea shanties, AAARRRGG!

[Jon C.]

Today I got sick of waiting for my tan kidskin pads to come in so that I could fix my long F key.

in a stroke of brilliance (or stupidity) I realized I had some easter themed self-stick craft foam decorations lying around.

So I used water soluble marker to trace around the edge of the inside of the pad cup and stamp an appropriately sized circle on a particularly large flower.

the *second* try fit and sealed -- on the first try I had too much excess toward the spring and the key wouldn't close all the way unless I mushed it down.

so if you're ever in a pinch and near a craft store, the colors are a bit garish, and I don't recommend it as a long term solution -- but craft foam seals...

Now experts... is there any reason why I shouldn't do this (short term)?

and what's the weirdest thing anyone else has used in place of
pads?

I like your style!
I make foam pads by punching them out from these foam inulating pads that you can buy to insulate switch and outlet plates. They are white closed cell foam just the right thickness. I like the idea of bright colored stick on flowers, I will have to look into that. Can I buy large wholesale quantities for bright foam stick on flowers...
For Purse pads I use the tree fiber from a flowering tree that grows in front of my shop, the tree has giant seed pods that spew out this wool like fiber. I stuff that in kid leather, and glue it. It makes little pillows, that I glue on with shellac. Lots of fun, if you don't have a life....
I even have cork trees out on the street, but haven't harvested any cork from them yet... (How many of you know that cork comes from trees? )

[kkrell]

For Purse pads I use the tree fiber from a flowering tree that grows in front of my shop, the tree has giant seed pods that spew out this wool like fiber. I stuff that in kid leather, and glue it. It makes little pillows, that I glue on with shellac. Lots of fun, if you don't have a life....

Would those be Silk Trees? http://www.geocities.com/westcornersville/floss.jpg

Thorny trunks?
http://www.bio.miami.edu/arboretum/39.jpg



Kevin Krell

[Jon C.]

For Purse pads I use the tree fiber from a flowering tree that grows in front of my shop, the tree has giant seed pods that spew out this wool like fiber. I stuff that in kid leather, and glue it. It makes little pillows, that I glue on with shellac. Lots of fun, if you don't have a life....

Would those be Silk Trees? http://www.geocities.com/westcornersville/floss.jpg

Thorny trunks?
http://www.bio.miami.edu/arboretum/39.jpg



Kevin Krell

Hi Kevin,
Ya, that is the tree, big thorns and all!
The cork trees are cork Oak trees...

[Kriana]

Can I buy large wholesale quantities for bright foam stick on flowers...
(How many of you know that cork comes from trees? )

actually you probably could buy wholesale quantities. I think die cut circles would work better. but I didn't have any of those in the "Peeps" branded foam cut outs that my mum sent me. For now I'm going to use strips from the little letters to reduce my key clicking due to old cork bits falling off.

the best part is the colors!

(Yes! I knew that one! My college education was worth the 40k a year after all!)

[Jon C.]

Can I buy large wholesale quantities for bright foam stick on flowers...
(How many of you know that cork comes from trees? )

actually you probably could buy wholesale quantities. I think die cut circles would work better. but I didn't have any of those in the "Peeps" branded foam cut outs that my mum sent me. For now I'm going to use strips from the little letters to reduce my key clicking due to old cork bits falling off.

the best part is the colors!

(Yes! I knew that one! My college education was worth the 40k a year after all!)

You can get a set of hollow leather punches on ebay for around $5.They work great. I just turn them into the foam with a wood backing. You can use the small punches to cut the key dampers also, I usually use sheet cork, but foam would work also.

[Aanvil]

No No NO!

Cork comes from wine bottles...

I have a liver to prove it!

[yillbrillem]

[quote="Jon C."]
For Purse pads I use the tree fiber from a flowering tree that grows in front of my shop, the tree has giant seed pods that spew out this wool like fiber. I stuff that in kid leather, and glue it. It makes little pillows, that I glue on with shellac. Lots of fun, if you don't have a life....

very cool...

que blues in Em... "rocks for my pill-ohh.... seed pods dat spew out da woooooly like fiber... fo' my pads.