The following steps are just a few random adjustments that must be made before scraping the reed. Use the reamer or the round file to ream out the center of the reed so it will fit on the bocal 8mm. Clip the ends of the first and second wires down to about four twists. Fold them down against the reed. Soak the reed for about three minutes. Measure the reed out 2 and 3/16ths inches from the butt end. Draw a perpendicular line to the ruler on the reed with a pencil. Cut the tip of the reed with scissors. Using the pliers, open the tip up to about 1/16th of an inch. Then you're ready to start scraping.