Measuring Pads
Moderators: Classitar, pied_piper, Phineas
Measuring Pads
Well I got those posts straightened up on my old Conn. Now it's time to get new pads. The old pads actually seem to be a little bigger than the cups by like .25-.5 mm when you measure the cardboard disk. So should I order pads the same size as the cups or .5 mm bigger? Also they are generally about 2.5 mm thick. Should I go for this same thickness in the new ones?
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pied_piper
- Posts: 1962
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:31 pm
- Location: Virginia
Glad to hear the post straightening was a success!
Generally, to measure for pads, I find the best way is to use calipers to measure the inside of the pad cup and then use that size pad. Occasionally, depending upon the cup geometry, you might need to go up or down a half size (.5 mm) to get a good fit. The pad should fill the cup diameter but not overflow it. A pad that is too large, will cause the top of the pad to overflow the the cup like a muffin top and you should avoid that. On the opposite, you don't want any gaps between the pad and the cup wall.
Measure the cups and the old pads and compare the values. If they are the same, you should not see the above symptoms. If the old pads are too large or too small as evidenced by the symptoms, you will need to adjust up or down as needed. Use this as a guide to ordering the right sizes.
If you get pads the same thickness as the old ones, you'll probably have less shimming work to do. If you have to compromise, go a hair thinner. You can always add more shims for a pad that's too thin. Pads that are too thick will be very difficult to deal with without bending the cups or key arms.
Generally, to measure for pads, I find the best way is to use calipers to measure the inside of the pad cup and then use that size pad. Occasionally, depending upon the cup geometry, you might need to go up or down a half size (.5 mm) to get a good fit. The pad should fill the cup diameter but not overflow it. A pad that is too large, will cause the top of the pad to overflow the the cup like a muffin top and you should avoid that. On the opposite, you don't want any gaps between the pad and the cup wall.
Measure the cups and the old pads and compare the values. If they are the same, you should not see the above symptoms. If the old pads are too large or too small as evidenced by the symptoms, you will need to adjust up or down as needed. Use this as a guide to ordering the right sizes.
If you get pads the same thickness as the old ones, you'll probably have less shimming work to do. If you have to compromise, go a hair thinner. You can always add more shims for a pad that's too thin. Pads that are too thick will be very difficult to deal with without bending the cups or key arms.
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--
--anonymous--
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pied_piper
- Posts: 1962
- Joined: Sat Mar 31, 2007 1:31 pm
- Location: Virginia
The pads should be snug, but not so tight that you have to force them into the cup. When the pad is placed in the cup, if they are too big, the skin will tend to wrinkle and cause problems with getting a good seat on the tone hole. The pad should just be in contact with the cup all the way around so that it cannot shift position in the cup. Any tighter than that and it may tend to wrinkle the skin.
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--
--anonymous--