I'd like to ask anyone here if you have used a machine polisher you'd get at the hardware store to polish up your horn.
If so, was it easy to do? Any issues, suggestions?
I'm asking since I'm considering of buying one as an easier way to polish up my horns.
Polishers
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GeoffC_UK
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Re: Polishers
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Last edited by GeoffC_UK on Fri Mar 31, 2023 3:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
UK-based
Customised Besson 782 EEb
Miraphone 283 Norwegian Star (3R, 2L)
Zo Eb Little Dragon
Customised Besson 782 EEb
Miraphone 283 Norwegian Star (3R, 2L)
Zo Eb Little Dragon
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MikeMason
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Re: Polishers
How about a dremel tool and a lot of patience? Haven’t tried myself, but considering it for my raw brass horn.
Pensacola Symphony
Troy University-adjunct tuba instructor
Yamaha yfb621 with 16’’ bell,with blokepiece symphony
Eastman 6/4 with blokepiece symphony/profundo
Troy University-adjunct tuba instructor
Yamaha yfb621 with 16’’ bell,with blokepiece symphony
Eastman 6/4 with blokepiece symphony/profundo
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tofu
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1995
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Re: Polishers
Do not do this. Even if I was willing to do this I would use a very expensive variable speed random orbital one. I restore old cars as a hobby (including painting my cars) but compete at the national level against pro shops. Way too many people ruin their car finish with a machine polisher. A car is a big flat surface so a machine polisher can if used properly save time. A tuba is not large nor does it have any flat surfaces and the finish is micro thin. You will ruin your finish most likely & that is virtually guaranteed with any thing you could buy at a hardware store.
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MikeMason
- 6 valves
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Re: Polishers
No finish. Raw brass horn. Your advice still apply? Mine has some etched in water spots from who knows how many decades.
Pensacola Symphony
Troy University-adjunct tuba instructor
Yamaha yfb621 with 16’’ bell,with blokepiece symphony
Eastman 6/4 with blokepiece symphony/profundo
Troy University-adjunct tuba instructor
Yamaha yfb621 with 16’’ bell,with blokepiece symphony
Eastman 6/4 with blokepiece symphony/profundo
-
tofu
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1995
- Joined: Sun Mar 21, 2004 11:59 pm
- Location: One toke over the line...
Re: Polishers
[quote=MikeMason post_id=725686 time=1680231715 user_id=78]
No finish. Raw brass horn. Your advice still apply? Mine has some etched in water spots from who knows how many decades.
[/quote]
I assumed the OP was referring to a horn with a silver or lacquer finish.
As far as raw brass - I have a raw brass horn and I personally wouldn't do it. Curved services are really difficult and I'd be very worried about taking off metal. It's easy for these things to get away from you. Plenty of detailers who do cars every day for a living have ruined clients paint finishes with a machine polisher and etched the underlying metal surface and these are folks who do this on a regular basis - and we are talking cars with mainly flat surfaces vs a tuba with virtually none. While a dremel is much smaller (and I have one) I'd still be very wary. I've always found it hard to put metal back on after it's come off.
No finish. Raw brass horn. Your advice still apply? Mine has some etched in water spots from who knows how many decades.
[/quote]
I assumed the OP was referring to a horn with a silver or lacquer finish.
As far as raw brass - I have a raw brass horn and I personally wouldn't do it. Curved services are really difficult and I'd be very worried about taking off metal. It's easy for these things to get away from you. Plenty of detailers who do cars every day for a living have ruined clients paint finishes with a machine polisher and etched the underlying metal surface and these are folks who do this on a regular basis - and we are talking cars with mainly flat surfaces vs a tuba with virtually none. While a dremel is much smaller (and I have one) I'd still be very wary. I've always found it hard to put metal back on after it's come off.