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I have a used BBC tuba rest. One leg is a bit funky, and in need of repair.

first - it is clear that a small part of one side of the leg has been filed down to make it work.

second - it is very difficult to slide the leg into position so that it will change position (from folded to extended, or vice versa).

third - a tiny "sleeve" in one of the joints is loose - tonight at rehearsal I scrounged a hammer and tapped it back in place. This allowed me to deploy the leg and rehearse. At the end of a 3 hour rehearsal, it had slid out (just a bit) again. I was able to fold the leg - but I think I'll need to tap the sleeve back in place to unfold it.

This is NG. It needs to be fixed. But, I'm ignorant of the exact mechanism used in these legs, and also frankly ignorant of the parts (and procedures for proper installation).

So...is there a step-by-step guide to stripping off a leg and re-installing? My cost for *this* instance of the device is minimal, so I'm willing to risk trashing it if I make a mistake.

(no, it's not even worth it to me to ship it back for a refund. Mostly, I really want to learn how to dissassemble and reassemble it.)

If I understand you correctly, then I am having some similar problems with mine. It has not come to the point where it is difficult to use, but I have had one of these sleeves slide out on me too. That leg also seems a little loose compared to the others...

You are not alone here. Two of the sleeves on mine are constantly coming loose and gradually slide somewhat out. I have to tap them back in after just about every session. I was thinking to pick up acouple cotter pins and tap them in there.
Other than this minor set back the BBC stand is the best I have used out of 3 products.

It may be that the loose sleeve is unrelated to the difficulties with folding/unfolding. I was just a bit wary of applying too much force when there was a part obviously out of alignment.

Back to the spring loaded mechanism. As previously noted, one face of the leg has a small (1") area at the joint (the face which is on top when extended, in the middle when folded) has been filed down (perhaps 1/16"). I got the stand "used" and this leg has never worked right. Compared with the others, it's as if the spring is not helping AND the leg is binding on something.

Any hints?

sloan wrote:Back to the spring loaded mechanism. As previously noted, one face of the leg has a small (1") area at the joint (the face which is on top when extended, in the middle when folded) has been filed down (perhaps 1/16"). I got the stand "used" and this leg has never worked right. Compared with the others, it's as if the spring is not helping AND the leg is binding on something.

There is no such filing on the original. I suspect someone tried to make it sit lower. The leg should rest against the inside of the bottom cast and machined base when deployed.

It may be that when the leg is deployed, it puts pressure on the pin, now that the leg has been filed. That would cause the pin to fail in a hurry. The pin is only supposed to hold the spring, and provide a hinge point for folding the leg up. When deployed, the leg should rest solidly on the inside of the base. If the pin is loose, though, it may bind in the slots cut into the leg, and that could make it difficult to deploy.

The springs are held in place with "roll pins", of the type known as "slotted spring pins". Go to www.mcmaster.com , and search on "spring pin". Select "slotted" as the type, and then find the size you need. I think the originals are zinc-plated steel, though stainless should work fine. You'll need to measure the originals to find the correct size.

I would suggest hooking the spring on a paper clip and wiring it in the stretched position before driving out the roll pin.

Don't use a cotter pin. It'll wear through in no time. You can use a headed pin with a cottered end, however.

Rick "who wonders why Dr. Sloan didn't try McMaster first" Denney

Rick Denney wrote:

Rick "who wonders why Dr. Sloan didn't try McMaster first" Denney

I'm a software guy - this is a hardware problem.