TubeNet

I'd like to buy some Hetman oil in Canada - all of the (American) sites that sell it that I can find want so much for shipping to Canada (ie. $45 for shipping $13 worth of oil) that I'd rather not go that route.

I'd prefer to just buy it locally (Calgary, AB), but alternatively - there must be a seller located in Canada.

Thanks,
-Patrick

Try:

http://www.stjohnsmusic.com/info/help/locations/calgary

Or:

http://www.long-mcquade.com/locations/Alberta/

I have not been to the Calgary stores but both of these chains usually stock it. You might want to call ahead to see if they have what you want exactly. If they don't have it, they will surely get it for you. Price is around 7-9$ a bottle.

According to the logic of a recent TN thread you could get it where the makers of the green slime toy get their ingredients.

K

I'd stay away from Hetman valve oils. They tend to leave a greenish slime/film on your pistons. Several of us on here have experienced it.

If your pistons (assuming you play piston tubas or euphs) are tight/new, then regular clear Medallion lamp oil will work well. If your pistons are older/worn, just mix some baby oil/mineral oil with the lamp oil. Works great and you get a large amount of "valve" oil for cheap

St John's in Calgary has carried it in the past - if they don't have it in stock, they're good about bringing it in. Ask for Aideen and tell her Katie sent you!

Thanks for the info guys. I have rotary vales, and I keep reading that Hetman makes the right types of oil - I was going to pick up Hetman-12 and Hetman-14. But, if you guys have other suggestions for rotary valves, I'm all ears.

I hadn't seen it at St. Johns, but I'll definitely ask next time I'm in - I can literally walk there in 10 minutes, so it's very convenient if they have it!

Thanks,
-Patrick

Sewing machine oil for the upper and lower spindle bearings, and 3-N-1 oil for the linkage.

There is disagreement whether a thin conventional piston valve oil, like Al Cass, Roche Thomas, or similar, should be used down the leadpipe to "clear" or "seal" between the rotor and casing. I only use it if I have to go a much too long a time without playing, and when I pick it up my Eb 1st valve wobbles on intonation from having dried out. Only then I put a couple of drops down the 1st valve slide, making sure to drip it down directly to the bottom of the tube so it doesn't dilute the slide grease into the rotor casing, which can cause more troubles with gunk and slow valves.

Slide grease is another issue of discussion; I use a thick grease on the main tuning slide and other "set" slides, and UltraPure Light on the 1st "ride" slide.

Don't use vaseline, and don't use Hetman's.

Ok, I picked up some 3-in-1 and sewing machine oil. I have high hopes, though I does seem interesting that sewing machine oil is better then oil specifically made for instruments.

I also stopped by St. Johns and Long and McQuade and they both have tons of hetman's oil!! I guess I just didn't notice before or something... Long and McQuade had the best selection and prices - about $6 for the 1oz. bottles. Too bad what I was actually looking for now was some UltraPure Light, which they didn't have...

You don't like Hetman's because it turns into green slime? Well that's a pretty good reason. Also much more expensive then the sewing machine oil.

Thanks again,
-Patrick

kalfalfa wrote:Ok, I picked up some 3-in-1 and sewing machine oil. I have high hopes, though I does seem interesting that sewing machine oil is better then oil specifically made for instruments.

SUPERSLICK key & rotor oil works well too. I use it on the bottom and top rotor spindles AND linkages on my rotary tubas with very good results.