Gentlemen,
I have read through many threads and I think I've pieced together some ideas to try, but I thought I'd start a different thread as my problem is slightly different than what I was reading about.
As the title suggests, I have started messing with inserts using a PJ1 from Wade at Webfoot. I'm using 1" poplar to minimize the cost of learning.
I turned and cut an insert last night that looks good to the eye. However, when I stuck a reed in it, I get very little sound. With minimal air pressure, I get a slight "quack". I use " " because it isn't a great sounding quack, but it's sound nonetheless. However, if I try to give it any kind of real air, say the amount that you would normally use to produce a standard quack, it locks up.
From my reading, it sounds like this could be:
1. Too short of a tone channel in relation to the toneboard overall. This is fixed by taking a dremel and extending the tone channel 1/32" at a time.
2. Incorrect slope of my toneboard - likely too flat. I will address by lightly filing down the toneboard, testing as I go.
3. I could try filing a little bit in the cork notch to allow the reed to be held off the toneboard slightly. I'm not sure I understand this 100%. Tell me if I'm wrong here - if you're looking at your insert from the side, toneboard up, I would need to file down the bottom of the cork notch, or essentially the end of the toneboard that is in the cork notch?
I have made sure the reed is placed with the bend out (bottom of the "U" on the toneboard), so I know it's a little more complicated than that!
Am I on the right track? I will likely make several more inserts exactly the same and then change one of the above items on each insert so I can control which element is changing.
I will try to post pics when I get home tonight, as I know it's impossible to do much more than close your eyes and throw darts at a board with the explanation I've given.
Thanks in advance!
Michael