Cornet "Restoration" (Most likly WILL end up worse

[Tubaing]

Here is my victom. I have never soldered before and am going to attempt to take it apart and put it back together. This is just for practice, but it may come out alive (anything could happen!) Any suggestions for a beginner at soldering (besides getting a smoke detector?)

Almost forgot, it's a Bundy

[Dan Schultz]

Any suggestions for a beginner at soldering (besides getting a smoke detector?)

If you are going to take it all apart, strip the lacquer first. 'Aircraft' brand stripper. If that doesn't work, try 'Easy-Off' oven cleaner. Once you 'fire it up' the lacquer will be a bear to get off... and you're sure to burn it, anyway.

[runelk]

before you take her apart, fix the bell stem first.

[SplatterTone]

I don't have any advice, but I will suggest a question: I have done a little (very) amateur messing around with a euphonium made in India. I think there is a significant variation is the melting temperature of different kinds of solder. I vaguely recall there was a Tubenet thread discussing solder types and melting temperature. High temperature solder can be a real bitch to work with. So, I would suggest asking about what kind of solder to use (which I kind of just did) ... or if anyone has the link to that Tubenet thread handy (if it exists and I'm not just dreaming).

Oh yeah ... I will offer a little advice. Clean the joint. Then clean the joint. And finally ... clean the joint.

[Dan Schultz]

I think there is a significant variation is the melting temperature of different kinds of solder.

Everything on that trumpet except for the valve casing assembly will fall apart at a little above 400 degrees.

[windshieldbug]

DON'T USE TOO MUCH HEAT! If you're going to try a little propane torch, it's very hard to figure out how hot the flame is by guessing... and too much can melt the darn brass as well as the solder... take it slow, and don't get stuff red unless you mean to anneal it...

[pulseczar]

Solder in a well ventilated room with a fan and a mask.

[Tubaing]

Solder in a well ventilated room with a fan and a mask.

The plan is to solder outside, on concrete.

[windshieldbug]

Keep some water handy, I have used a spray bottle. Remember, heat goes up. And have metal tools that you can use to grasp/hold with.

[tubaguy9]

I don't have any advice, but I will suggest a question: I have done a little (very) amateur messing around with a euphonium made in India. I think there is a significant variation is the melting temperature of different kinds of solder. I vaguely recall there was a Tubenet thread discussing solder types and melting temperature. High temperature solder can be a real bitch to work with. So, I would suggest asking about what kind of solder to use (which I kind of just did) ... or if anyone has the link to that Tubenet thread handy (if it exists and I'm not just dreaming).

Oh yeah ... I will offer a little advice. Clean the joint. Then clean the joint. And finally ... clean the joint.

A tip for cleaning the joint: Possibly use Q-tips...

[tubaguy9]

Any suggestions for a beginner at soldering (besides getting a smoke detector?)

If you are going to take it all apart, strip the lacquer first. 'Aircraft' brand stripper. If that doesn't work, try 'Easy-Off' oven cleaner. Once you 'fire it up' the lacquer will be a bear to get off... and you're sure to burn it, anyway.

Either use them for stripping, or use hot water...