Author Topic: Putting bumper tubes into Hohner combs. (Read 742 times)

Ed McCullough · « **on:** July 20, 2024, 01:47:56 AM »

I'm having trouble putting new bumper tubes into Hohner combs. These are fairly recent Hohner combs. The hole for the tubes has a tiny slot at the edge of the hole. The hole is so small that you cannot slide the tube directly into the hole. You have to somehow scrunch the bumper tube into the slot as you slide the tube into the hole. Can you give me some tips about doing this.?

No question about it. The tubing I am using Is from Hohner. One piece of tubing is the bumper tube that I took out of the hole.

Ideas? Suggestions?

smojoe · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2024, 05:07:30 PM »

Just take a small drill slightly larger than hole and twist it with your hands (ONLY).

Mike Yashagita

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2024, 05:35:27 PM »

That is an excellent suggestion. Just before I try that I will try lubricating the hole and bumper tube with Ivory soap.

Age · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2024, 06:28:07 PM »

Lately, I've been doing without bumpers altogether. I have the slide peened to where it doesn't slop around in the channel and I just put a little foam rubber bumper just under the button on the edge of my axe. Quiet azza mouse!

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #4 on:** July 20, 2024, 06:33:41 PM »

Age: Very interesting. Worth thinking about.

Age · « **Reply #5 on:** July 20, 2024, 06:37:55 PM »

Only takes a minute to try. (cept for the peening part) The thing about peening is if you do too much, (which you're almost sure to do

) it's easy to correct.

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #6 on:** July 20, 2024, 06:41:40 PM »

Age, : making the external bumper have the exactly correct thickness will take some care.

Age · « **Reply #7 on:** July 20, 2024, 07:36:34 PM »

I just checked again and see that I moved it to the edge of the mouthpiece. I thought of this AFTER I super glued the button back on that finally popped off. I'm also considering putting a fat little o-ring on the slide just under the button (to act as a cushion) before putting the button on and/or a small washer that will "reach out" just enough to hit and squash whatever kind of rubber I decide to put on there. When I replace that old slide, (which should be pretty soon) you can be sure I'll use one of the things mentioned above cuz I'm pretty much done with those little bumpers.

Just cut a little piece of that silly foam rubber tape I have pictured there to try it for yourself.

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #8 on:** July 20, 2024, 09:12:19 PM »

Age's technique and Joe's technique both look like great solutions.
If I were to use Age's technique, I would not use a piece of foam tape. I would use a solid piece of wood or plastic that is almost thick enough. I would put a small layer of E6000 glue on top of the wood and file the glue thinner and thinner until the glue and wood thickness is exactly right.
Jeepers! When we put all our brains together, we get great solutions.

Still, I think I'm going to try Joe's method first.

Age · « **Reply #9 on:** July 20, 2024, 09:31:03 PM »

Quote from: Ed McCullough on July 20, 2024, 09:12:19 PM

Age's technique and Joe's technique both look like great solutions.
If I were to use Age's technique, I would not use a piece of foam tape. I would use a solid piece of wood or plastic that is almost thick enough. I would put a small layer of E6000 glue on top of the wood and file the glue thinner and thinner until the glue and wood thickness is exactly right.
Jeepers! When we put all our brains together, we get great solutions.

Still, I think I'm going to try Joe's method first.

Yeah, ANYTHING soft, will turn that "CLACK" into a "thud" and as long as you aren't slapping the button, it won't make enough noise to matter.

Lockjaw Larry · « **Reply #10 on:** July 20, 2024, 10:24:08 PM »

"I just put a little foam rubber bumper just under the button on the edge of my axe"

I noticed that foam when you showed me your wooden covers but “ someone” talked so much I didn’t get to inquire about the foam. That seems to be an easy, effective solution for one direction on the slide but not when it returns out. Right?

Grizzly · « **Reply #11 on:** July 20, 2024, 10:39:49 PM »

Quote from: Lockjaw Larry on July 20, 2024, 10:24:08 PM

I just put a little foam rubber bumper just under the button on the edge of my axe
I noticed that foam when you showed me your wooden covers but “ someone” talked so much I didn’t get to inquire about the foam. That seems to be an easy, effective solution for one direction on the slide but not when it returns out. Right?

Good point, Larry. Bumpers (originals) keep the slide from traveling too far out of the chamber.

Tom

Age · « **Reply #12 on:** July 20, 2024, 11:50:49 PM »

Quote from: Lockjaw Larry on July 20, 2024, 10:24:08 PM

"I just put a little foam rubber bumper just under the button on the edge of my axe"

I noticed that foam when you showed me your wooden covers but “ someone” talked so much I didn’t get to inquire about the foam. That seems to be an easy, effective solution for one direction on the slide but not when it returns out. Right?

Spose I shouldda let you play with the button. You'd be amazed with the slide action on that 12 year old junker.

Never bothers me cuz I never do the old rapid "button chatter" thing. I pretty much don't take my finger anymore, and even if I do a "flutter," I just move my finger a little faster.

Gettin old, slowin' down and killin' it!

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #13 on:** July 24, 2024, 11:14:39 PM »

I used a method that I came up with myself. I extremely slightly sharpened the end of bumper tube, as you would sharpen the end of a dowel to make a tent peg. I then lubricated both the hole and the bumper tube with dishwashing liquid soap.
-. Bumper tube length turned out to be 7.5 mm for the Hohner Super 64. I think 8 or 7 mm would also be okay.

Age · « **Reply #14 on:** July 25, 2024, 12:50:33 AM »

As I've written in the past, meteculous trimming to allow the bumpers to compress/expand, not beyond, but "to" a precise point, is the "perfect" (and never stock/OTB method, BTW

) and the optimum/ultimate bumper experience. However, lately, I guess I just got lazy, and am more than satisfied with my new "slide peening & external bumper" method.

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #15 on:** July 25, 2024, 01:31:55 AM »

The design of the Super 64 underwent small changes over time. The one I am working with firmly holds one end of the bumper tube in the comb. The end of the bumper tube that extends through the backing plate and the slide is not held in place on top by its contacting anything. Thu there is nothing to push on the end of the bumper tube that is not in the comb. Nothing compresses the bumper tube. It does not have to be cut to a precise length. I think any length between 6.5 and 8 mm would work well.

Age · « **Reply #16 on:** July 25, 2024, 12:02:08 PM »

"Nothing compresses the bumper tube."

What?

I dunno, bro. $:-\$ While I'll admit not being all that familiar with the 64X (cuz I've never owned one) I do own a 280 which, I assume to be similar and the Super 64, like all the others out there, with a mouthpiece design that will compress the bumper tube if the bumper tube is cut too long. When it does that, the tube gets fat and binds in the slider slot, making it "drag" when pressed. The only thing that might limit the compression is a supper skinny bumper tube.

Join us on the Zoomer today at 4 and we'll argue about it there.

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #17 on:** July 25, 2024, 05:43:59 PM »

Hohner makes tiny changes from time to time. The strange round hole with a flat side holds the bumper tube extremely securely. You have to yank on the tube very strongly in order to pull it out. Because of that security of holding the tube, the tube only needs to be held by one end. No question in my mind

Age · « **Reply #18 on:** July 25, 2024, 06:21:54 PM »

We're encroaching an area waaaay past what I no longer even care about, Ed. LOL!

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #19 on:** July 25, 2024, 07:26:32 PM »

No problem. I found my solution.
End of topic.