Lubrication for Slides to be Kicked

[Himes]

Hi everybody. I was just wondering what kind of lubrication (grease, oil, etc) you all used on your tuning slides that you regularly adjust (IE - first valve tuning slides especially)? I've tried various stuff to varying effects, but some people always seem to have super fast slides - much faster than me.

Thanks a lot,

Himes

[SplatterTone]

Step one is make sure everything is clean so that crud is not binding things up. I need no lube other than valve oil on the properly adjusted slides I keep clean. I think the need for heavy lube is indicative of a slide that was not properly fitted when made or has gotten tweaked out of proper fit. On the one horn I have with slides that have a mediocre fit, the best lube I have tried is Spacefiller green label which has consistency similar to syrup. The stuff is pricey for what you get, but it only requires a very small amount, and it has worked well for me.

[TubaCoopa]

For smooth, crud-free slides, you should use steel wool. BUT, not just any steel wool. You would need the super-fine kind. I don't remember, but I think it's .00001 (someone please correct me if I'm wrong)

[iiipopes]

Always being subject to change if I find something I like better, on the 1st valve slide of my 186 I use UltraPure Light Tuning Slide Lube. For me, it does the job, doesn't get into the rotors and gum up, and has good durability. Of course, I usually only play the 186 indoors, so if you're playing outdoor gigs, your mileage may vary.

What was said above: you don't get to the lube question until you make sure the slide legs are perfectly parallel and the tuning slide lapped in properly and you keep everything as clean as possible.

[Chris]

A repair man i went too (who does amazing custom work in the DFW Area) used this stuff. I loved it and loved the price.

oiladd_blue.jpg

I use it on slides that I pull.

Get a paint brush and paint a bit on. Be forewarned, apply too much and it will get into your valves. Lighter Fluid will eat it away pretty quickly.

[Todd S. Malicoate]

For smooth, crud-free slides, you should use steel wool. BUT, not just any steel wool. You would need the super-fine kind. I don't remember, but I think it's .00001 (someone please correct me if I'm wrong)

Steel wool uses eight grades ranging from 4 (quite coarse) to 0000 (the finest). 00 or finer should be fine.

[tubamirum]

Bloke offered the best solution.

[The Jackson]

A repair man i went too (who does amazing custom work in the DFW Area) used this stuff. I loved it and loved the price.

oiladd_blue.jpg

I use it on slides that I pull.

Get a paint brush and paint a bit on. Be forewarned, apply too much and it will get into your valves. Lighter Fluid will eat it away pretty quickly.

I used oil treatment on the 186 I had, and it worked VERY well for the slides with regular pulling, but I didn't think it was great for pulling slides (mostly 1 and sometimes 3).

[sloan]

Bloke offered the best solution.

My solution was to send my horns to bloke - now the first valve slides are "like butter".

for "proper lube", the solution is titration. Use *compatible* slide grease and valve oil (I like Hetman's). Apply grease. Test. Add a few drops of oil. Repeat.

I could tell you how many drops of oil are 'best' - but then I'd have to shoot you.

[Tubainsauga]

Assuming, as bloke pointed out, everything is aligned nicely I would use the hetman slide oil. It's made for the first and third slides on trumpets and works very nicely my first slide kicker. 4, 5, and 6 are the oils for that. I personally use 4 (light) but your mileage may vary.

[J.c. Sherman]

Assuming everything is smooth, adjusted, and properly lined up, There are two I use; a heavy woodwind key oil for slides that have to really fly, and Selmer slide grease (red stuff in the valve oil bottle) for slower ones (like my King BBb; I only move that for B natual and occassionally middle C.).

[Uncle Buck]

To the OP:

Bloke is a professional instrument repair guy who can be trusted, so if you do as he says I am sure you will get the bits unstuck

[Uncle Buck]

Apply grease. Test. Add a few drops of oil. Repeat.

Yep.

That's what I've always done, with pretty good success.