Lapping reeds?

**Jeff_S** · 05-22-2006, 03:02 PM

I thought I better start a new thread so I get get an answer a little faster. I'm about to start putting in these reeds. In an earlier thread I got some information on how to lap the reed blocks. Since I am not sure what this accomplishes, how do I know when I am finished or when they are properly lapped? The new reeds are going into a 1981 175 horse Johnson.

**kingsbiship** · 05-22-2006, 03:12 PM

What you're doin' is making the cages straight. From the factory... they're
a little rough, and the reeds will rest a little open. This is where a small
amount of hp is lost. On a lake eng... you probably won't notice any change.

**Liqui-Fly** · 05-22-2006, 03:32 PM

Emery cloth and a nice flat piece of glass. You're simply making sure they seal. When your surface if flat the sand marks will be uniform.

**vector mike** · 05-22-2006, 06:49 PM

I did mine on the kitchen glass top table when the girlfriend was at work.

I used 220 and wet sanded it untill the whole surface was smooth and perfectly flat.

**J Lamb** · 05-22-2006, 07:09 PM

What about rubber coated reed blocks(Yamaha)?

**Dingie 2** · 05-22-2006, 10:28 PM

I sanded my rubber Yamaha cadges using wet and dry 400 sand paper and a flat stone. I would install the new reeds hold them up to a light than work on the area that was high and keeping the reed from sitting flat and sealing. It takes a few mins. but its the little things that give you a edge.

**Forkin' Crazy** · 05-23-2006, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by vector mike

I did mine on the kitchen glass top table when the girlfriend was at work.

I used 220 and wet sanded it untill the whole surface was smooth and perfectly flat.

A true gear-head at heart!!!

**vector mike** · 05-23-2006, 12:23 PM

I resemble that remark.

I've always been involved in something fast and doing whatever it takes to get it done. If the girlfriend only knew half the stuff I'v e done we probably wouldn't be together. That's why I love working different shifts than her.

**brotherxb03** · 05-23-2006, 09:10 PM

You need to lap them in a figure 8 motion on flat glass till you can see a even cut.

**roadkill636** · 12-07-2014, 06:16 PM

Would there be any benifit to lapping the sealing surface area a slightly diffrent angle than the reed mounting area? To make them press on the sealing area a bit harder? Or sand the whole reed block flat and even all together?

**RichS** · 12-07-2014, 08:49 PM

Start out getting them flat. Playing with 2 angles will get real involved fast because what its going to want will be dished. Controlling the dish, hmmmmm, I don't even want to try without a grinder. Now, you can try shimming under the reed to get the same effect.

**Mr. Demeanor** · 12-07-2014, 09:18 PM

A magic marker scribbed all over makes seeing when your done easy. Poor mans dye chem.
I used the top of my table saw and found some stick backed sandpaper at home depot.

**roadkill636** · 12-07-2014, 09:37 PM

Black marker sounds like a good idea. I'll do that and open up the blocks a bit.

**xb03fs** · 12-07-2014, 09:57 PM

How big of a deal is smooth/flat, I have a set of rubber removed cages that are very rough compared to the stock 5 petals at were removed? A lot of sandng would be needed to get them flat. I was told that due to the fuel/liquid they would seal fine. This was from Chris Carson