TubeNet

How do you, those of you who have repair experience, go about remov ing dents from bells? I have dent balls and magnets and they work great on the rest of the tuba but when it comes to the bell it they seem to only create more little dimples and really flatten out the area instead of leaving it nice and rounded like it should be, thanks in advance for anyone who can contribute

Here is one example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K500dI7IYAE

Macgyver Option for the rank amateur:

I have had good luck with a rolling pin working out mild creases. It takes some finesse and ability to "read" the dent. Work gently and evenly around the bell. You can't force it straight. For shallow dents, a broad, thick plastic serving spoon works best for me. Very small and deep dings are problematic because the metal is stretched a good bit. I tend to leave those alone.

I'm sure I'll get some flak for this post.

I have used a drumstick.

I've used a rolling pin before. You can click my link to my Eb tuba in my signature and find some photos of the work I did on it at home. After the rolling pin, I used a dent hammer on one side with a curved steel piece (from an automotive dent removal set) on the other side and tapped them out a bit more.

Pros use a steel rolling pin mounted on a shaft that is clamped in a vice, called a Fast Eddie. They may also use a Ferree's Dent Machine, which is sort-of a highly specialized English Wheel. And the right dent hammer, expertly applied.

I use a hard plastic round bar, about 2" in diameter and a foot long, that a friend provided to me a few years ago. It's easier to handle than a wooden rolling pin, and less likely than drum sticks to do the wrong thing.

But serious dents need expertise and those more advanced tools. That is also true for dents where the magnets are more of a possibility.

Rick "prevention is the best tool" Denney

I'm fortunate to have all of the proper tools like a 'dent' machine with power rollers and such. Using a hardwood rolling pin as other have suggested will work but it takes some effort.

One of the old 'Krauts' in the Rhein Valley Brass swore by a porcelain door knob and lots of elbow grease.

Under NO circumstance use magnets and balls on a bell.

Thanks for all the input guys, reason I ask is because recently, there was an accident and a kid fell on the bell of my tuono while it was on the floor in its gig bag, and as you can imagine it left a huge dent in the bell which I managed to mostly get rid of, however now the bell doesn't look so great and I'd really it to look how it was new. I've probably done as much as I can with the tools that I ha've at this point so I will probably be sending it out somewhere to be professionally fixed, thanks again everyone!