Posted by Lee Stofer on August 22, 2002 at 07:15:24:
In Reply to: fire up the smithy for our own mp's posted by Shane Ackbar on August 20, 2002 at 21:59:42:
Shane,
You just don't want to know how much it costs to set-up to make mouthpieces. I have an adequate machine lathe in my shop, bought used for $2,000.00. I recently purchased over $400.00 in brass rod stock from a distributor, and by the time I have all the necessary tooling it will have cost me as much as the lathe did. Right now I'm just restoring old mouthpieces, but I want to be able to make reproductions of some historical mouthpieces, which means it will not be a production run, and they won't be cheap. I'd suggest taking old cutlery to a metal recycler or knife maker. And, when you need a mouthpiece, I'd suggest buying one or having an old one restored, and realize they are worth every penny paid.
Lee Stofer