Posted by Joseph Felton on February 26, 2001 at 00:18:12:
In Reply to: Cork or Neoprene? posted by Gary on February 23, 2001 at 08:03:33:
Check out Bic mechanical pencils. The erasers that come with them are highly rubberized and don't crumble when compressed like other erasers. I've tried lots of other materials and I still prefer the Bic for the low level of noise they produce, the feel, and durability. Silicone is too soft and bouncy and vacuum cleaner belts are too noisy. Unlike other products, it is pretty easy to find replacement bumpers at your corner grocery or office supply store.
A pack of ten mechanical pencils is only a couple bucks and should be enough to outfit a five rotary valve tuba. They come in black and white; both colors look nice with most horns. They wedge into the stop plate fairly easily. I usually wedge them in with a putty knife and use an exacto knife to trim off whatever sticks above the plate. In my experience on my horns I don't need to trim any off the side they seem to stop the rotor right where I want it both directions.
Well.. I like it anyhow,
joseph 'don't ask how i discovered this use for bics' felton