Would someone be willing to explain the process of opening a metal Link by bending or tapping the tip without removing material?

Thanks 

This is my least favorite way to open a Link.  The way I do it is just put it in a bench vice and hit it with a hammer.  You can also put a rod down the shank end and lean on it.

It takes a bit of feel to get it anywhere near right, and you have to be careful you don't twist the tip at the same time.  It always bends under the front edge of the bite plate, so you need to correct the curve afterward.  Depending on how much you move it, you may need to correct the baffle as well.  

Be careful -- I've still got the first two of these I tried.  They're useless.


--- In MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com, "heyjonball" <heyjonball@...> wrote:
>
> Would someone be willing to explain the process of opening a metal Link by bending or tapping the tip without removing material?
> 
> Thanks
>

Tip bending should only be considered when you have a vintage metal Link, with very little material in the tip,  that is a small size, like 4* that you want to get to a 6-7*.  Otherwise, tip cutting to open it up is a better way  to go.  

You can also consider using nylon-jawed pliers on the tip.  I have not done this to open a Link (yet) but I do use them on tips bent from a drop.

 
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
2925 Crane St., Vineland, NJ 08361 
Paypal to sabradbury79@... 
Check out: http://www.MojoMouthpieceWork.com
...and: http://www.facebook.com/mojomouthpiecework




________________________________
From: Morgan <frymorgan@...>
To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, April 7, 2010 4:50:58 AM
Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Opening metal Links

  
This is my least favorite way to open a Link. The way I do it is just put it in a bench vice and hit it with a hammer. You can also put a rod down the shank end and lean on it.

It takes a bit of feel to get it anywhere near right, and you have to be careful you don't twist the tip at the same time. It always bends under the front edge of the bite plate, so you need to correct the curve afterward. Depending on how much you move it, you may need to correct the baffle as well. 

Be careful -- I've still got the first two of these I tried. They're useless.

--- In MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com, "heyjonball" <heyjonball@ ...> wrote:
>
> Would someone be willing to explain the process of opening a metal Link by bending or tapping the tip without removing material?
> 
> Thanks
>





      

I have never tried this technique. It strikes me as a recipe for  
disaster! How do you make certain the tip opens evenly? I would very  
much like to see a video of this surgery being done.




On Apr 7, 2010, at 8:05 AM, Keith Bradbury wrote:

>
> Tip bending should only be considered when you have a vintage metal  
> Link, with very little material in the tip,  that is a small size,  
> like 4* that you want to get to a 6-7*.  Otherwise, tip cutting to  
> open it up is a better way  to go.
>
> You can also consider using nylon-jawed pliers on the tip.  I have  
> not done this to open a Link (yet) but I do use them on tips bent  
> from a drop.
>
>
> Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
> 2925 Crane St., Vineland, NJ 08361
> Paypal to sabradbury79@yahoo.com
> Check out: http://www.MojoMouthpieceWork.com
> ...and: http://www.facebook.com/mojomouthpiecework
>
>
> From: Morgan <frymorgan@...>
> To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wed, April 7, 2010 4:50:58 AM
> Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Opening metal Links
>
>
> This is my least favorite way to open a Link. The way I do it is  
> just put it in a bench vice and hit it with a hammer. You can also  
> put a rod down the shank end and lean on it.
>
> It takes a bit of feel to get it anywhere near right, and you have  
> to be careful you don't twist the tip at the same time. It always  
> bends under the front edge of the bite plate, so you need to correct  
> the curve afterward. Depending on how much you move it, you may need  
> to correct the baffle as well.
>
> Be careful -- I've still got the first two of these I tried. They're  
> useless.
>
> --- In MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com, "heyjonball"  
> <heyjonball@ ...> wrote:
> >
> > Would someone be willing to explain the process of opening a metal  
> Link by bending or tapping the tip without removing material?
> >
> > Thanks
> >
>
>
>
>
> 

The most common story is that Frank Wells of Chicago used to start his jobs on vintage Links by whacking them on the bite plate with a hammer.  The trauma imparted was difficult to watch.  The tip would usually bend open with a kink across the bottom of the bite plate where the metal is the thinnest.  Sometimes, maybe often, the bite plate would crack.  Then the facing curve would need to be worked on to remove the kink.




________________________________
From: STEVE GOODSON <saxgourmet@...>
To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wed, April 7, 2010 10:51:40 AM
Subject: Re: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Opening metal Links

  
I have never tried this technique. It strikes me as a recipe for disaster! How do you make certain the tip opens evenly? I would very much like to see a video of this surgery being done. 






On Apr 7, 2010, at 8:05 AM, Keith Bradbury wrote:


>
>Tip bending should only be considered when you have a vintage metal Link, with very little material in the tip,  that is a small size, like 4* that you want to get to a 6-7*.  Otherwise, tip cutting to open it up is a better way  to go. 
>
>You can also consider using nylon-jawed pliers on the tip.  I have not done this to open a Link (yet) but I do use them on tips bent from a drop.
>
> 
>Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
>2925 Crane St., Vineland, NJ 08361 
>Paypal to sabradbury79@ yahoo.com 
>Check out: http://www.MojoMout hpieceWork. com
>...and: http://www.facebook.com/mojomouthpiecework
>
>
>
>
>
________________________________
From: Morgan <frymorgan@yahoo. com>
>To: MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com
>Sent: Wed, April 7, 2010 4:50:58 AM
>Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Opening metal Links
>
>  
>This is my least favorite way to open a Link. The way I do it is just put it in a bench vice and hit it with a hammer. You can also put a rod down the shank end and lean on it.
>
>It takes a bit of feel to get it anywhere near right, and you have to be careful you don't twist the tip at the same time. It always bends under the front edge of the bite plate, so you need to correct the curve afterward. Depending on how much you move it, you may need to correct the baffle as well. 
>
>Be careful -- I've still got the first two of these I tried. They're useless.
>
>--- In MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com, "heyjonball" <heyjonball@ ...> wrote:
>>
>> Would someone be willing to explain the process of opening a metal Link by bending or tapping the tip without removing material?
>> 
>> Thanks
>>
>
>
>
>
>




      

i´ve only once successfully closed down a 9*metal link, that didn´t  
work at all by hammering it down to a approx. 6 then i had to redo  
the facing and ended up with 8.
my goal was a 7*.
it played perfectly, only the second measurement was too long for m  
taste(40 instead of 38)
the second time i tried the same procedure on a 10* everything, that  
was described earlier, happened: the tip bent, where the bite-plate  
started and with a second stroke i ruined the bite plate and messed  
up the whole piece :-(

when i tried to open a mpc (no name brand)with this method, the  
baffle behind the tip-rail turned out to be so high that the piece  
squeaked.
couldn´t bring it down, otherwise i would have reached the bite plate  
from the inner side.

these are some of the risks to consider, when trying this method.
besides, the metal can crack.

i´d never try it again on my precious pieces.

good luck!

Am 07.04.2010 um 18:08 schrieb Keith Bradbury:

>
> The most common story is that Frank Wells of Chicago used to start  
> his jobs on vintage Links by whacking them on the bite plate with a  
> hammer.  The trauma imparted was difficult to watch.  The tip would  
> usually bend open with a kink across the bottom of the bite plate  
> where the metal is the thinnest.  Sometimes, maybe often, the bite  
> plate would crack.  Then the facing curve would need to be worked  
> on to remove the kink.
>
> From: STEVE GOODSON <saxgourmet@...>
> To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Wed, April 7, 2010 10:51:40 AM
> Subject: Re: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Opening metal Links
>
>
> I have never tried this technique. It strikes me as a recipe for  
> disaster! How do you make certain the tip opens evenly? I would  
> very much like to see a video of this surgery being done.
>
>
>
>
>
> On Apr 7, 2010, at 8:05 AM, Keith Bradbury wrote:
>
>>
>> Tip bending should only be considered when you have a vintage  
>> metal Link, with very little material in the tip,  that is a small  
>> size, like 4* that you want to get to a 6-7*.  Otherwise, tip  
>> cutting to open it up is a better way  to go.
>>
>> You can also consider using nylon-jawed pliers on the tip.  I have  
>> not done this to open a Link (yet) but I do use them on tips bent  
>> from a drop.
>>
>>
>> Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
>> 2925 Crane St., Vineland, NJ 08361
>> Paypal to sabradbury79@ yahoo.com
>> Check out: http://www.MojoMout hpieceWork. com
>> ...and: http://www.facebook.com/mojomouthpiecework
>>
>>
>> From: Morgan <frymorgan@yahoo. com>
>> To: MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com
>> Sent: Wed, April 7, 2010 4:50:58 AM
>> Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Opening metal Links
>>
>>
>> This is my least favorite way to open a Link. The way I do it is  
>> just put it in a bench vice and hit it with a hammer. You can also  
>> put a rod down the shank end and lean on it.
>>
>> It takes a bit of feel to get it anywhere near right, and you have  
>> to be careful you don't twist the tip at the same time. It always  
>> bends under the front edge of the bite plate, so you need to  
>> correct the curve afterward. Depending on how much you move it,  
>> you may need to correct the baffle as well.
>>
>> Be careful -- I've still got the first two of these I tried.  
>> They're useless.
>>
>> --- In MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com, "heyjonball"  
>> <heyjonball@ ...> wrote:
>> >
>> > Would someone be willing to explain the process of opening a  
>> metal Link by bending or tapping the tip without removing material?
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> >
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
> 

it strikes me as too dangerous for mere mortals!!






On Apr 7, 2010, at 12:56 PM, NikolaosAfentulidis wrote:

> i´ve only once successfully closed down a 9*metal link, that didn´t  
> work at all by hammering it down to a approx. 6 then i had to redo  
> the facing and ended up with 8.
>
> my goal was a 7*.
> it played perfectly, only the second measurement was too long for m  
> taste(40 instead of 38)
> the second time i tried the same procedure on a 10* everything, that  
> was described earlier, happened: the tip bent, where the bite-plate  
> started and with a second stroke i ruined the bite plate and messed  
> up the whole piece :-(
>
> when i tried to open a mpc (no name brand)with this method, the  
> baffle behind the tip-rail turned out to be so high that the piece  
> squeaked.
> couldn´t bring it down, otherwise i would have reached the bite  
> plate from the inner side.
>
> these are some of the risks to consider, when trying this method.
> besides, the metal can crack.
>
> i´d never try it again on my precious pieces.
>
> good luck!
>
> Am 07.04.2010 um 18:08 schrieb Keith Bradbury:
>
>>
>>
>> The most common story is that Frank Wells of Chicago used to start  
>> his jobs on vintage Links by whacking them on the bite plate with a  
>> hammer.  The trauma imparted was difficult to watch.  The tip would  
>> usually bend open with a kink across the bottom of the bite plate  
>> where the metal is the thinnest.  Sometimes, maybe often, the bite  
>> plate would crack.  Then the facing curve would need to be worked  
>> on to remove the kink.
>>
>> From: STEVE GOODSON <saxgourmet@...>
>> To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
>> Sent: Wed, April 7, 2010 10:51:40 AM
>> Subject: Re: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Opening metal Links
>>
>>
>> I have never tried this technique. It strikes me as a recipe for  
>> disaster! How do you make certain the tip opens evenly? I would  
>> very much like to see a video of this surgery being done.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Apr 7, 2010, at 8:05 AM, Keith Bradbury wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> Tip bending should only be considered when you have a vintage  
>>> metal Link, with very little material in the tip,  that is a small  
>>> size, like 4* that you want to get to a 6-7*.  Otherwise, tip  
>>> cutting to open it up is a better way  to go.
>>>
>>> You can also consider using nylon-jawed pliers on the tip.  I have  
>>> not done this to open a Link (yet) but I do use them on tips bent  
>>> from a drop.
>>>
>>>
>>> Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
>>> 2925 Crane St., Vineland, NJ 08361
>>> Paypal to sabradbury79@ yahoo.com
>>> Check out: http://www.MojoMout hpieceWork. com
>>> ...and: http://www.facebook.com/mojomouthpiecework
>>>
>>>
>>> From: Morgan <frymorgan@yahoo. com>
>>> To: MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com
>>> Sent: Wed, April 7, 2010 4:50:58 AM
>>> Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Opening metal Links
>>>
>>>
>>> This is my least favorite way to open a Link. The way I do it is  
>>> just put it in a bench vice and hit it with a hammer. You can also  
>>> put a rod down the shank end and lean on it.
>>>
>>> It takes a bit of feel to get it anywhere near right, and you have  
>>> to be careful you don't twist the tip at the same time. It always  
>>> bends under the front edge of the bite plate, so you need to  
>>> correct the curve afterward. Depending on how much you move it,  
>>> you may need to correct the baffle as well.
>>>
>>> Be careful -- I've still got the first two of these I tried.  
>>> They're useless.
>>>
>>> --- In MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com, "heyjonball"  
>>> <heyjonball@ ...> wrote:
>>> >
>>> > Would someone be willing to explain the process of opening a  
>>> metal Link by bending or tapping the tip without removing material?
>>> >
>>> > Thanks
>>> >
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> 

--- In MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com, STEVE GOODSON <saxgourmet@...> wrote:
>
How do you make certain the tip opens evenly? 


Very carefully!  Seriously.  It's way too easy to twist the opening like this.  Like anything, you do enough of them and you develop a feel for it.

If you have a mill, it's much easier and safer to just bias cut the table.

Thanks to everyone for their insight into the Link question. 

Keith, thanks for providing an invaluable forum for mouthpiece work. I think mouthpiece refacing is more addictive than mouthpiece collecting! BTW, the metal reed set is a great tool. Thanks again.

--- In MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com, "heyjonball" <heyjonball@...> wrote:
>
> Would someone be willing to explain the process of opening a metal Link by bending or tapping the tip without removing material?
> 
> Thanks
>