Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-26
How Comets are Made.
THE AMERICAN nGrRUMKNTs NOW AMONG THE BEST
talk WITH MANUFACTURER
tha Navr yor Mall ana

How Comets are Made.
THE AMERICAN nvrRUxKsrs NOW AMONG THE BEST
A TALK WITH MANUFACTURE.
From the New York Mall and Express
Wonderful strides In the manufacture of comets
have been made By the instrument makers OF this
country In the last few years Although the handi-
work OF the most famous Europeon cornet makers
Is still imported, the inst, uments OF domestic
manufacture are said to equal in all respects the
best abroad. The demand for comets in this coun-
years ago, and this has spurred on the Amertcan
makers until they are able 10 furnish Instruments
That are as perfect In tone, shape and appearance
as loreign comets. Such renowned cornetists as
Levy, Stoddard, and others use American instru-
ments- The largest cornet makers in this country
are located In Boston, Philadelphia, New York, and
One OF the makers in this city described to
1udtt 9nd Express reporter this morning the pro-
ployed.
The utmost care must be taken with the parts
impalrs the tone and value OF the cornet. The
nrst step In the manufacture Is the cutting on OF
h s.rp Oh plain sheet brass. This is rolled until
Ine eoges come together, forming a round tube.
Inc seam Is brazed with hard solder, and steel
ROD OF the exact diameter that is desired for the
pore OF the tube is inserted. Then the tube, with
us steel core, Is drawn by steam power through
steel die, from which IL energies perfectly round
inside and out. This process is called "cod draw
Ing" and the quality OF the instrument depends
In measure on It's success.
The next step-the bending OF the tube to
form the slides and pipes OF the cornet-ts an ex-
ceedingly difficult one. The thin tube will not
stand tie strain OF bending into the different
shapes required without being REINFORCED This
Is done by plugging one end, and filling the tube
with molten lead. This makes It like solid bar,
and makes the bending possible without injury
70 the brass When entirely cool the tube Is
heavy iron lever it is slowly bent around
an Iron block. When the right form mas
been obtained, the tube Is placed on an
Iron CRATE over fire, and slowly heated
AS IL grows hot the lead meitS ana
runs into bath, where it is kept for future use.
OF the "bell" or large end OF the instrument. A
sheet OF brass is cut in the shape OF segment OF
circle and the edges brazed together, FORMING a
eornucopfa. This is placed over smooth, steei
model and hammered with wooden maiiets unui
IL Is OF the required shape. 1t Is now placed In
lathe and spun true, and the other edge turned
over small timed wire. The bell Is then re-
yersed on the lathe and the inside OF the cone Is
FURNISHED while revolving rapidly. The test OF
the FURNISHED bell being true Is that while revOly
Ing IL cannot be seen TO move.
The manufacture OF the valves which produce
the notes is very interesting process. The valves
are short pieces OF brass tubing, which must mt
alright into the short tubes at the side or the
corneL They must move smoothly up and down
In the short tubes to let in anu shut OF the stream
OF air fmpelled along the tubing from the lips OF
the performer. Holes are cut at certain distances
along the Inner pipe and The valves Soldered on
with hard solder. A powerful gas blow-pipe Is
used for this work, and the solder Is made TO run
into the crevieeS like water. When this Is done
the pistonS and valves are lined with hard metal
on the inside to prevent the corrOSon OF the brass
from the moisture in the breath OF the performer.
When the valves are completed the different parts
OF the instrument are sodered together and the
finishing touches OF polishing, "buning," and en-
craving C0mDlete The