Instructions For Valentino “Press-Fit Style” Pad Installation
Introduction:
This pad is produced for some instrument factories and is intended for ease and speed of installation. This pad is mainly used in the smaller clarinet keys. We recommend using the float-in style on the bottom four pads. To date, our customers have only used these for clarinet though we can imagine other uses, perhaps bassoon, trills and left hand C on flute, as well as palm keys on saxophone.
Description:
The Valentino “Press-Fit” has a solid paper back. This does not allow adhesion to the back of the pad cup, and this attribute allows the pad to be adjusted easily. These pads have a ring of adhesive between the paper backing and the “business area” top of the pad. The ring of adhesive then adheres the pad to the interior sides of the pad cup. This sidewall adhesive and the paper backing allow the pad to be positioned easily and quickly.
Installing:
The pads are installed into the cups with the keys mounted on the instrument. With a needle poked into the side of the pad, open the key and position the pad on the tone hole underneath the key. Bring the key down over the pad and press until you receive the desired pad exposure. Test. The pad can be adjusted if needed by gently tipping it with a thin metal pad “slick”. It is important to support the whole face of the pad with the slick when manipulating the pad. If the exposure is even around the circumference as desired, then align the key itself for coverage.
Embossing the impression (a.k.a. the seat):
On keys that are sprung closed, the spring tension alone will train the impression into the pad. On lightly sprung models, you may want to lightly press on the pad cup for a moment to help emboss the pad. On models with heavier spring tension, the spring alone will do it. On open-key pads, lightly clamp these keys closed for a while (we offer Valentino Key Clamps for this purpose). Depending on the specific pad type, clamp time may be 60 minutes or less. Alternatively, apply some moderate heat with a blow dryer to warm the pad face. The heat will help put a deeper impression in the pad. If the impression is too deep, heat the pad again without clamping and the impression will come out. When using a heat method, clamp time can be reduced.
There is normally no heat required to install the “Press-Fit” but some technicians warm to pad cup to soften the glue a bit when readjusting the pad.