Evolution of a piston valve set

[roweenie]

Old tubing removed, crappy old lacquer removed, valve caps taken down to accomodate larger fingerbuttons.



1st & 2nd circuits completed (not in that order).



3rd circuit done the next day.



4th circuit, and all cleaned up (getting it all parallel took substantially more time!).



Reverse.



Plenty of room (I hope!) for a 5th rotor valve.

[Matt G]

Looks nice!

Will the 5th be after the main tuning slide? I’m guessing yes.

[roweenie]

Thanks guys - yes, E flat

[bort]

Just like that. Nothing to it, folks.

[Tubajug]

Very nice roweenie! What horn is it going on? A frankentuba or a rebuild?

[SousaWarrior9]

Nice work!

[roweenie]

Very nice roweenie! What horn is it going on? A frankentuba or a rebuild?

Hmm...

It's going on a King monster E flat, so I'm not sure what to call it. The valveset is Reynolds, which as far as I can see is virtually identical to a King sousaphone set - - - ?

I believe the terminology is up for debate:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=96266" target="_blank

[Tabor]

Nice!

Those Reynolds and Olds valves, I think they're a little heavier metal and just seem a little nicer in build quality, or materials or something compared to King to me. I just like em.

[roweenie]

Thanks, Tabor -

I added the small branch and MTS assembly to the valveset yesterday:





Referencing Tubajug's post, I realized that this small branch was a tight fit around the valveset, and that it was really only going to fit one way, so I went ahead with adding it now, rather than later when it would be more difficult. The branch and dogleg were also one contiguous piece, so I had to fabricate a ferrule so that I could rotate the dogleg for better adjustment.

Since it's in E flat, there's really only one branch left before I reach the top bow - that's where any needed adjustments will be made.

[roweenie]

Bugle mocked in place



Valveset dry-fitted to check for proper alignment

Once I'm satisfied with the alignment, I'll brace the branches together and start bracing the valveset onto the top bow.

[Tubajug]

That looks great!