TromboneChat

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Hey collective hive mind - what alternatives do you use for cork? I'm thinking some kind of stick-on rubber nubbins or something along those lines. I have a Jo-ral bubble mute and the cork has sloughed off as it's wont to do on these things - and re-attaching the cork back is only a short term fix.

Any ideas as to what might be a better way to go on this? I'm using it on small bore horns, a 2B at the moment, if that helps.

There's that cork/rubber hybrid stuff you can get. Stickier than straight cork. Varying thicknesses. Enough to last a career for $6.

https://www.discountrubberdirect.com/pr ... _MQAvD_BwE

hyperbolica wrote: ↑Wed Jun 17, 2020 11:54 am There's that cork/rubber hybrid stuff you can get. Stickier than straight cork. Varying thicknesses. Enough to last a career for $6.

https://www.discountrubberdirect.com/pr ... _MQAvD_BwE

Great idea!
I was wondering that myself, hadn't thought of that.
Here's a great source if you and your friends want to chip in (or start a shop):
https://www.mcmaster.com/cork/gasket-material/

I've heard people use strips from computer mouse pads.

I've used weather stripping rubber on a couple of Renuzit mutes, it's done okay.

The cork I've hot glued onto mutes has lasted well, even one I made from a wine cork in an emergency.

Some folks use model train track bedding... I have not tried it though.

Sandpaper...

Normal mute corks are about 1/4" thick and the easily available gasket material is thinner than that. The 1/4" rubber/cork hybrid is prohibitively expensive. I think I remember trying that material years ago and it didn't seem to work very well. You want it to stick but not too much.

I ended up just considering cork to be a maintenance item that has to be replaced periodically instead of expecting it to last forever. A hot melt glue gun is cheap and works well.

The cork on a Harmon is thinner than 1/4" and the gasket material might work.

For regular mutes I bought the thick cork tiles at Staples and cut 1/4" x 2.5" strips (6 mm x 60 mm). Attach with a glue gun.

I use the rubberized gasket "cork" all the time.
If too thin, glue a couple of layers together!

The Weldwood Contact Cement works great, but is VERY flammable!!!!!!
NO open flames anywhere NEAR you when working with it!!!!


Eric

Old tennis shoe soles work. Many years ago I tried using my daughters with the flashing lights. Just to get a brighter sound.

whitbey wrote: ↑Thu Aug 20, 2020 8:44 am Old tennis shoe soles work. Many years ago I tried using my daughters with the flashing lights. Just to get a brighter sound.

NEXT!!