Emergency Repairs

[Kenton]

As high schools are looking forward to another marching season, I got to thinking about what temporary remedies would be possible on the field. Duct tape seems to be the remedy of choice for many users (certainly not repairmen). And while it would be nice to pull a horn out of service at the first indication of a problem, that is not likely. Nor, it is likely that duct tape applied for the game, will be removed immediately and sent off the the repair shop.

The usual problems are broken braces and disconnected tubing. At least some of the braces can be held together with plastic tie-downs.

But, is there any tape (or other remedy) to hold tubing together and stop air leaks, that will not cause addition aggravation when it is time to get the horn repaired?

[Rick Denney]

As high schools are looking forward to another marching season, I got to thinking about what temporary remedies would be possible on the field. Duct tape seems to be the remedy of choice for many users (certainly not repairmen). And while it would be nice to pull a horn out of service at the first indication of a problem, that is not likely. Nor, it is likely that duct tape applied for the game, will be removed immediately and sent off the the repair shop.

The usual problems are broken braces and disconnected tubing. At least some of the braces can be held together with plastic tie-downs.

But, is there any tape (or other remedy) to hold tubing together and stop air leaks, that will not cause addition aggravation when it is time to get the horn repaired?

I have used common vinyl electrical tape to plug leaks temporarily. It leaves a residue, but the residue is easy enough to remove with Goof Off or other adhesive removers. The worst that can happen is that the lacquer comes off with the tape or the cleaner, but then that's the price one pays for deferring the repair.

For broken or loose braces, I have used nylon wire ties. I have never seen them cause any further damage.

Rick "thinking duct tape leaves a gooey mess when it falls off, which it invariably does before you want it too" Denney

[Chadtuba]

As a sound tech over the last few years I've come to love gaff tape. It looks and works like duct tape but without the residue. It is designed for stage and sound use to tape down cables and mark cue spots and then come off without sticking to the floor or the cables. It is a bit more pricey but it works well, at least for it's intended use

[MikeMason]

Might be the same as nylon wire ties previously mentioned ,but,I've seen some directors use zip strips,as used by police for emergency handcuffs,to temporarily fix solder joints.The problem is,it sometimes works so well they get carried away...

[Søren]

I always carry some ZIP strips in my gigbag. One summer after a long string of street gigs (6 weeks playing daily) my sousaphone was held together with zip strips in 5 different places, before I got a break and had time to visit my repair tech.

[J.c. Sherman]

Zip strips dont tend to tick me off. Gaff tape is only slightly less agravating than electrical tape and duct tape; I prefer masking tape. There's a few knot patterns I know and have seen from some teachers with string which can bind braces quite well (sailors, remember the patern to wrap a handrail?). Elastic Hair Ties are better than rubber bands. Clear nail polish in a cracked joint is not horrible IF you tell me you used it and where, but not in a joint that hasn't come off completely; then it's a pain. For everything else, follow bloke's advice

Sorry Tinker

J.c.S.

[Dan Schultz]

Use PLENTY of superglue, gorilla glue, and epoxy...and - when it can - finally - be repaired *correctly* please send it to:

Tuba Tinker.

And don't forget the Bondo!

Seriously.... the use of tape and wire ties doesn't irritate me as much as the use of rubber bands on silver plated horns. I can clean off glue and tape residues but those stinkin' rubber bands destroy silver plating.

[Rick Denney]

I prefer masking tape.

Only problem with masking tape is that it's paper, and as soon as it gets wet, it no longer seals a leaky joint, especially if there's any movement at all in that joint. Also, it doesn't stretch very well and therefore isn't as versatile in making a seal. Finally, leave it there for a couple of years and it's harder to remove than electrical tape.

Rick "who owns a tuba held together with hose clamps" Denney

[Tubaryan12]

In high school we used strapping tape to tape the braces together before the season started. It was slightly golden in color with threads running through it. It was easy to remove with standard solvents and worked very well in preventing most broken braces.

[Mitch]

Upon arriving at a far away destination for an audition, a long time ago, I went to the site the day before to check it out and practice some, as they were making practice space available. Upon removing my horn from the bag, I discovered, much to my dismay, that the receiver had cracked just about completely off.

(This was apparently not uncommon among Hirsbrunners of a certain vintage. I'd previously noticed an extremely light hairline crack on it before, but between it seemingly playing fine and not having a stretch of time I could be without the horn, I'd let it be.)

In any event, I inquired with the locals as to the location of the nearest Home Depot. I got there about 3 minutes before they closed.

I'd had a length of that yellow rubber surgical tubing that I'd cut open along its length and had been using it for a little comfort on the thumbring. I'd purchased a metal hose clamp at the Depot. I took that length of tubing, cut it to fit, wrapped it around the break in the receiver, and applied the hose clamp just until it seemed snug.

It became immediately evident that the hairline crack I'd noticed was leaking some air. Of course, that makes perfect sense, but it was such a small amount that it was not detectible by any means I possessed. The horn felt like it played remarkably better. Whether that was because of any leak it corrected or because of adding mass right at the point where the mouthpiece shank ends, I don't know.

Easy fix, no adhesives.