Transforming a bassoon reed blank into a performance reed -- initial steps.

Author describes and demonstrates transforming a typical bassoon reed blank into a quality reed. Found here are the initial steps of: reaming, making a shoulder, cutting the blank to length, and initial scraping to a specified set of centerline thickness measurements. This video is the 8th in a series on making bassoon reeds. A following video will demonstrate the finishing steps to create a performance quality reed.

There are typographical errors in the text at 10:27 -- the second line should read:
"Thickness (0.001 inch) 12 16 19 22 25 27 29 30 31"

The following video "More details on transforming a bassoon reed blank into a performance reed" includes equations (in the Description) to calculate centerline thickness measurements for various spacings in either English or metric measurements.

[thomasschubert--bassoonree]

I've been asked about the 13/64 inch tapered (for wood) drill bit that I use for a reamer. I found that idea on the IDRS forum: cheap alternative tools thread. Finding an appropriate handle is the first hurdle that most folks encounter. For many, an Exacto #5 knife handle (or a clone thereof) is a good solution. If you have access to a lathe, a wood dowel (drill a 13/64 hole in the end) works well. For mine, I increased the diameter of the bit with JB Weld, turned that area down to 1/4 inch so that it would fit into my mandrel handle, and then cut off the extra length. My collar is just a piece of plastic (Delrin) rod. I've been using that reamer for several years now & find it better than any commercial reamer that I've had in the past.