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For many years I used Al Cass as my all round valve oil. As I got a new instrument and the valves did not work so well I got a bottle of La Tromba to test. All valves worked absolutely great but the stuff has an odor that is totally disgusting. So is there any oil that works as well as La Tromba but not stinks?

Hi-
I use Hetman #2 on new pistons and Hetman #12 on new rotors--works great.
Also-- sometimes you will see some 'black stuff/residue' (buffing compound ) on new pistons--make sure you clean the casings, pistons, casing slots, etc. An ultra sound cleaning at your local repairman is another option.
Hope that helps.
Good luck.
Mark
PS. BTW, sometimes I also have the original valve springs replaced by my repairman for a stronger set of springs--just my liking. My 2 cents...

Great topic. Never before discussed here on TubeNet!

Valve oils are about as personal as mouthpieces. This is no 'best one'.

However... as long as you asked: I make my own from ultra-pure lamp oil with added drops of STP ranging from one to several drops of STP for each 2 ounces of lamp oil. The lamp oil is a very light lubricant and also acts as a cleaner. The STP give the solution a little extra 'body', depending on how much is used and also gives the solution a little 'staying power' so you don't need to oil up every day.

Al Cass in particular is little more than highly refined kerosene.... same thing as lamp oil. There may be a 'secret ingredient' or two thrown in but basically most oils (other than the fully synthetic ones) are pretty much the same.

I make my own as well. I use lamp oil and Marvel's Mystery Oil from the auto parts store.

I used to have an old King detachable bell tuba. The valves were really bad, so I experimented with the mix and found that more MMO have me better results. I think it increases the viscosity and allows the pistons to be coated better.

Now I have different formulas for my euphonium and my tuba. I've made a thicker kind for my students with rotary tubas and trombone valves as well.

The best part:

Al Cass $5.95 for 2 oz.

Lamp oil $5.97 for 64 oz.

I highly doubt there is much different. Mine also does not evaporate when left in my gig bag in the Texas summers while driving from school to school.

Absolutely, to clean things is essential.
However, I have also found the lamp oil variants working great on some instruments. But, the mentioned great working, on that particular instrument, La Trbomba seems to be a synthetic variant. What is true for synthetic oils about how it smells? Does it have to smell soo bad or is there other versions?

Hm bloke, any Hagmanns? All my traditional valves works with whatever I put on them, except for super glue and such though...I still have oil left in the small bottle of Holton valve oil I got for the bass trombone, that I still use, from 1974 and it works well.

I have 0 problems with the Hagmanns on my Besson 943. I use Hetmans about once a month or so.

Because of the more complicated design of the 'specialized' valves I like standard rotaries better but anyway it seems possible to have the advanced stuff working too, with a little help at least.
I have played one trombone with a K-valve that was properly adjusted and it worked very well, but was a bit clumsy designwise.

tbn.al which Hetman # do you use for your Hagmanns?

I use #12 on the rotor and #14 onthe linkage. Very infrequently I might add. I do love the Hagmann's which I have had for 10 years. Nice open blow and 0 trouble. Can't say as much for the conical valves.

Hmm, looks like I have to get a bottle of Hetmans. Does it smell something or is it neutral?

Lingon wrote:Hmm, looks like I have to get a bottle of Hetmans. Does it smell something or is it neutral?

No smell that I've ever noticed and the big bonus: doesn't stain my clothes (one of my horns is an upright valver with drip catcher removed - lotsa mess).

Stryk wrote:I have a half bottle of Mirafone rotor oil that came with my 184 20+ years ago - and that is all I have used. Rotors don't seem to need oiling as much as valves - but I oil them every year or so anyhow

LOL! I'm not a big fan of rotors but you bring up a good point. Perhaps I'm overusing valve oil as it seems I need my Hetman classic every-other day I play my tubas.

When are they going to add a "like" button to TubeNet?

Lingon wrote:For many years I used Al Cass as my all round valve oil. As I got a new instrument and the valves did not work so well I got a bottle of La Tromba to test. All valves worked absolutely great but the stuff has an odor that is totally disgusting. So is there any oil that works as well as La Tromba but not stinks?

Is this what causes "valve-oil breath"?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zb6jofTpYw" target="_blank

Jim... vinegar (a very mild acid) won't harm your pistons (no matter what the metal) but it will take longer than just a few minutes for it to reduce lime deposits. Use white vinegar. A soft brush will speed things up a bit.