Holton 345 Redux
- The Big Ben
- 6 valves
- Posts: 3169
- Joined: Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:54 am
- Location: Port Townsend, WA
Re: Holton 345 Redux
It would seem that the stripping operations would all be dirty, dirty, dirty so do all of those at the same time. Since the top bow must be stripped and you could get along with not stripping the bell and bottom bow but the bell is ugly, you could do the bell and not the bottom bow. If the bell and top bow were in raw brass, it would look like they "match" even though you don't polish to bright raw brass. So, stripping first. Put on some nice clean clothes and get to the other work. Next, finish the valve work Then, the slide work. One would hope the valve and slide work doesn't take a lot of grunting and sweating so, when the stropping was done, the work might be physically easier.
Keep moving forward! Hopefully, all the stuff that has "bugged" you since you got this horn will be gone when you are done.
Keep moving forward! Hopefully, all the stuff that has "bugged" you since you got this horn will be gone when you are done.
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- 4 valves
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- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:33 pm
- Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Re: Holton 345 Redux
Amen! Keep it coming!
1930 King "Symphony" Recording Bass BBb
1916 Holton "Mammoth" Upright Bass BBb
1994 King 2341 Upright Bass BBb
Wedge H2 Solo mouthpieces
Stofer-Geib mouthpieces
1916 Holton "Mammoth" Upright Bass BBb
1994 King 2341 Upright Bass BBb
Wedge H2 Solo mouthpieces
Stofer-Geib mouthpieces
- roweenie
- pro musician
- Posts: 2165
- Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:17 am
- Location: Waiting on a vintage tow truck
Re: Holton 345 Redux
Very useful information - thanks!
I find that making ferrules is one of the most difficult and time consuming things that I do, and that those fancy little tube ends were entirely out of the question.
I find that making ferrules is one of the most difficult and time consuming things that I do, and that those fancy little tube ends were entirely out of the question.
"Even a broken clock is right twice a day".
- roweenie
- pro musician
- Posts: 2165
- Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:17 am
- Location: Waiting on a vintage tow truck
Re: Holton 345 Redux
I feel your pain....
The way I cut ferrules (and tube ends in general) is much more low-tech. I mark a fine line all around the tube, and then place it on a tapered dowel in my vise, moving the tube up the dowel until it fits tightly. Then, I slowly cut along the line, as I slowly turn the tube on the tapered dowel (kinda like a primitive hand-operated lathe). Once I get the line scored, I can start to add more pressure and cut deeper. Then, dressing the ends with sandpaper, file, and scraper.
Slow, tedious, and annoying, but it "gets the job done".
The way I cut ferrules (and tube ends in general) is much more low-tech. I mark a fine line all around the tube, and then place it on a tapered dowel in my vise, moving the tube up the dowel until it fits tightly. Then, I slowly cut along the line, as I slowly turn the tube on the tapered dowel (kinda like a primitive hand-operated lathe). Once I get the line scored, I can start to add more pressure and cut deeper. Then, dressing the ends with sandpaper, file, and scraper.
Slow, tedious, and annoying, but it "gets the job done".
"Even a broken clock is right twice a day".
- roweenie
- pro musician
- Posts: 2165
- Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:17 am
- Location: Waiting on a vintage tow truck
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- 3 valves
- Posts: 329
- Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:00 pm
- Location: Oakland, CA
Re: Holton 345 Redux
“Unavailable” for me.the elephant wrote:(Let me know if the video will not play or does not show up. It is restricted, so I can post it, but I am not sure anyone else can see it unless I change the settings.)
Here is how I used to do it. It sucked, but it worked really well.
- cambrook
- pro musician
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- Joined: Thu Sep 16, 2004 8:50 pm
- Location: Perth, Australia
Re: Holton 345 Redux
Me too
- roweenie
- pro musician
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- Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:17 am
- Location: Waiting on a vintage tow truck
- The Big Ben
- 6 valves
- Posts: 3169
- Joined: Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:54 am
- Location: Port Townsend, WA
Re: Holton 345 Redux
Fun video! Do you need to do as much post-cutting dressing with your new chop saw?
- roweenie
- pro musician
- Posts: 2165
- Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:17 am
- Location: Waiting on a vintage tow truck
- roweenie
- pro musician
- Posts: 2165
- Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:17 am
- Location: Waiting on a vintage tow truck
Re: Holton 345 Redux
I've had some success with using pitch (a few "failures", but generally pretty good). I've never had to buy any, either - I save the pitch from pre-drawn mouthpipes, and keep it in a cheapo crock pot.
Before I fill it I anneal the $hi+ out of it, and then let it air cool (thanks Dan!). Then, for good measure, after letting the pitch cool for a long time, I stick it in the refrigerator for a few hours more.
I'm just careful to pour the pitch in real slow, so I don't get any air pockets.
Also, I devised a system where instead of using corks, I drill hole into a 6×6 block of wood, the same OD as the tubing and place it in vertically. This holds the tube steady, allows me to use both hands while pouring, and the block of wood stops the end of the tube pretty nicely.
To bend the tubing, I cut a piece of 3/4" pine with a jig saw to the angle I want. Then, I screw it into my workbench, and then above it I screw a piece of straight wood, snookering the tube tightly inbetween. That gives me the leverage I need to bend it over the curved piece. If you go slowly, and use a long enough piece of tubing (to get better leverage), I've found that the flat edge of the wood doesn't damage the sides, as you think it would.
Before I fill it I anneal the $hi+ out of it, and then let it air cool (thanks Dan!). Then, for good measure, after letting the pitch cool for a long time, I stick it in the refrigerator for a few hours more.
I'm just careful to pour the pitch in real slow, so I don't get any air pockets.
Also, I devised a system where instead of using corks, I drill hole into a 6×6 block of wood, the same OD as the tubing and place it in vertically. This holds the tube steady, allows me to use both hands while pouring, and the block of wood stops the end of the tube pretty nicely.
To bend the tubing, I cut a piece of 3/4" pine with a jig saw to the angle I want. Then, I screw it into my workbench, and then above it I screw a piece of straight wood, snookering the tube tightly inbetween. That gives me the leverage I need to bend it over the curved piece. If you go slowly, and use a long enough piece of tubing (to get better leverage), I've found that the flat edge of the wood doesn't damage the sides, as you think it would.
"Even a broken clock is right twice a day".
- roweenie
- pro musician
- Posts: 2165
- Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:17 am
- Location: Waiting on a vintage tow truck
Re: Holton 345 Redux
Yes, I agree - cleaning pitch out of the finished product really sucks....
I haven't tried to bend anything as tight as you describe. I can't see it as being physically possible to do it without some kind of deformation.
I haven't tried to bend anything as tight as you describe. I can't see it as being physically possible to do it without some kind of deformation.
"Even a broken clock is right twice a day".
- Tubajug
- 5 valves
- Posts: 1712
- Joined: Wed Jun 10, 2009 7:23 pm
- Location: Lincoln, NE
Re: Holton 345 Redux
That's looking great Wade! I love the nickel-silver slides with ends you made!
Jordan
King 2341 with a Holton "Monster" Eb bell
Eb Frankentuba
Martin Medium Eb Helicon
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving's probably not for you.
King 2341 with a Holton "Monster" Eb bell
Eb Frankentuba
Martin Medium Eb Helicon
If at first you don't succeed, skydiving's probably not for you.
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- 4 valves
- Posts: 534
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:33 pm
- Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Re: Holton 345 Redux
Your work looks terrific! Keep posting!
1930 King "Symphony" Recording Bass BBb
1916 Holton "Mammoth" Upright Bass BBb
1994 King 2341 Upright Bass BBb
Wedge H2 Solo mouthpieces
Stofer-Geib mouthpieces
1916 Holton "Mammoth" Upright Bass BBb
1994 King 2341 Upright Bass BBb
Wedge H2 Solo mouthpieces
Stofer-Geib mouthpieces
- roweenie
- pro musician
- Posts: 2165
- Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:17 am
- Location: Waiting on a vintage tow truck
Re: Holton 345 Redux
Sounds interesting. Do you care to share what these tools are, and where they are available? TIA!the elephant wrote:Awaiting some alignment tools to make slide building a faster process.
"Even a broken clock is right twice a day".
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- 4 valves
- Posts: 534
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:33 pm
- Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Re: Holton 345 Redux
Your tenacity to get this done and done the way you want is amazing. I really am looking forward to the remaining segments and the finished product. Well Done, Elephant!!
1930 King "Symphony" Recording Bass BBb
1916 Holton "Mammoth" Upright Bass BBb
1994 King 2341 Upright Bass BBb
Wedge H2 Solo mouthpieces
Stofer-Geib mouthpieces
1916 Holton "Mammoth" Upright Bass BBb
1994 King 2341 Upright Bass BBb
Wedge H2 Solo mouthpieces
Stofer-Geib mouthpieces
- roweenie
- pro musician
- Posts: 2165
- Joined: Mon Mar 05, 2007 10:17 am
- Location: Waiting on a vintage tow truck
- The Big Ben
- 6 valves
- Posts: 3169
- Joined: Sat Dec 16, 2006 11:54 am
- Location: Port Townsend, WA
Re: Holton 345 Redux
Good luck on the performance. Hope it goes well.the elephant wrote: I have Shostakovich 10 all week (starting tonight) which will be played on the 2165. So I will not be working on the Holton for the whole week. Very excited, nonetheless. I have been wanting to make the valve set detachable for about ten years now, so having all the parts in my hands is sort of a weird rush for me.
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- 4 valves
- Posts: 534
- Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:33 pm
- Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Re: Holton 345 Redux
Hope all is well. We look forward to the continuation of the Holton 345 Redux saga when you have time to photograph, write and post!
1930 King "Symphony" Recording Bass BBb
1916 Holton "Mammoth" Upright Bass BBb
1994 King 2341 Upright Bass BBb
Wedge H2 Solo mouthpieces
Stofer-Geib mouthpieces
1916 Holton "Mammoth" Upright Bass BBb
1994 King 2341 Upright Bass BBb
Wedge H2 Solo mouthpieces
Stofer-Geib mouthpieces
-
- 3 valves
- Posts: 329
- Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2012 9:00 pm
- Location: Oakland, CA
Re: Holton 345 Redux
What a bummer!
This is my all-time favorite thread on TubeNet. I think I’m not the only one who feels that way. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, Elephant! Both good and bad.
This is my all-time favorite thread on TubeNet. I think I’m not the only one who feels that way. Thank you so much for sharing your experience with us, Elephant! Both good and bad.