Reed Guillotine User Guide
This guide provides essential instructions for the safe and effective use of your new reed guillotine. Mastering this tool will allow you to make precise adjustments to your reeds. Proper handling is crucial for both achieving the perfect cut and ensuring your personal safety.
CRITICAL SAFETY WARNING
Your reed guillotine uses a standard single-edge razor blade, which is EXTREMELY SHARP. Failure to follow these safety procedures can result in serious injury. The number one rule is:
AVOID handling the razor blade with your bare hands. ALWAYS use pliers for insertion and removal. NEVER force the reed in or out of the guillotine as this may cause unpredictable movements that may be dangerous. AVOID leaving the blade in when carrying around the guillotine in a bag or contained space.
Keep the guillotine and any spare blades out of reach of children and pets. Treat this tool with the respect and caution it requires.
Blade Handling Procedure
Follow these steps carefully every time you change the blade.
1. Inserting the Blade
Using a pair of needle-nose or similar pliers, firmly grasp the new razor blade. If just using your hands, make sure to only grab it by its thick, non-sharp spine. Keeping your fingers well away from the sharp edge, carefully align the blade with the slot on the guillotine. Gently slide the blade into place until it is fully seated and secure.
2. Removing the Blade
DO NOT USE YOUR BARE HANDS FOR THIS STEP! With your pliers, grasp the exposed spine or corner of the old blade. Pull the blade straight out from the guillotine in a slow, controlled motion. Do not twist or wiggle the blade, as this could cause it to snap or break, creating a greater hazard.
3. Safe Disposal
A used blade is still a dangerous blade. To dispose of it safely, wrap it several times in thick tape (like duct tape) or place it inside a dedicated sharps disposal container. Do not simply throw a bare blade into the trash where it could injure someone.
4. Tool Maintenance
After use, swipe the guillotine bed using a brush to remove any cane dust. A clean tool ensures accurate cuts and prevents rust on the blade. Store the guillotine in a dry place, preferably in a place out of reach of children. Change the blade every 10-20 cuts. The older the blade, the more inaccurate the cuts will be requiring additional force to cut.
How to Clip a Reed
The goal of clipping a reed is to remove a tiny amount of cane from the tip. This increases the reed's resistance and can raise its pitch. The key is to work in incredibly small increments.
1. Position the Reed
Place the reed on the guillotine's flatbed, with the tip just under the blade. If the tip is thicker than the opening of the guillotine, carefully, using your left-hand thumb lift the head of the guillotine while holding the bed of the guillotine with your right hand.
2. Align Carefully
Look closely. Use the lines to align with the first wire or collar of the reed. These lines are marked in millimeters (mm). Make sure it is a straight line. You should only be clipping a hair's width. A tiny adjustment makes a huge difference.
3. Make the Cut
Making sure that the guillotine is in a flat stable surface, press the top down using a strong leverage from your body and hand in one swift, firm motion. A hesitant cut can crush the cane fibers.
4. Avoid the Sides of the Guillotine
When opening the guillotine, be careful to not grab the head of the guillotine by the sides as part of the blade might be exposed.
Patience and Practice
The goal of clipping a reed is to remove a tiny amount of cane from the tip. This increases the reed's resistance and can raise its pitch. The key is to work in incredibly small increments. Learning to adjust your own reeds is a skill that takes time and practice. Don't be discouraged if you ruin a few reeds at first—every experienced player has done the same. With patience, this tool will become an invaluable part of your musical toolkit. Do not hesitate to contact us with questions or for help.
