Harmonica Reed Plates

[poolrod2]

Hi everyone, I have a harmonica design and I'm not sure of the best way to make the reed plates. Some kind of press, a very small endmill maybe to cut through .050 brass with minimal corner rads. Any ideas would be great.

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[awerby]

I'd suggest making a set of cutting dies out of tool steel and hardening them after machining them. You'd use them in a hydraulic press. You'll probably need to square the inside corner radii with a file, but the rest shouldn't be a problem to mill out.

[poolrod2]

Yes, I was thinking that also, but with today's technology I was hoping for a quick process ha ha. Thank you Andrew.

[awerby]

I suppose you could print them directly in metal. That would be quick, but co$tly...

[burbingus]

I believe fiber lasers will cut brass. Are the parts bent afterwards? If so, a cut/bend tool on a press is probably your best bet.

[awerby]

I don't think they're usually bent. The fiber laser should work, or an abrasive water-jet machine, if the spot size is small enough.
I'm not sure any of these processes are things you'd realistically set up for your own home workshop, but there are companies that will do them for you. Probably the best method would be spray-etching: https://microphoto.net/services/phot...iAAEgJ1w_D_BwE

[poolrod2]

Thank you guys for the thoughts on this, there is an upper and lower plate and my design is to have holes 2 thru 6 and spread apart for easy single notes for blues playing. The holes can be made on a drill press but the slots are the trick.

[parildo]

Thank you guys for the thoughts on this, there is an upper and lower plate and my design is to have holes 2 thru 6 and spread apart for easy single notes for blues playing. The holes can be made on a drill press but the slots are the trick.

Harmonica reedplates usually use a press.
You can prototype with wirecut too, but to go to production would be too expensive.
I worked at a harmonica factory and perhaps I can help.
Drop me a pm if you want to, as we could go a bit off topic here