Valve + Toothpaste trick

[Dan Castillo]

So I have this piston tuba which has one valve that is always getting hung up and stuck. This has been happening on this tuba for years now, and I might take it to a repair person, get it working reasonably well for a few months, then it's back to the status quo. I also clean it fairly frequently, so I don't think the problem is a lack of regular maintenance. I was talking to someone recently (can't remember who..?) who had similar issues with their horn and said they were able to fix it permanently by doing the following:

Creating a slurry with an abrasive toothpaste (name I don't recall) and a diluting agent (Water? Again I can't remember..) that is rubbed on the valve, then putting the valve with this new paste on it in the casing and working it up and down a half hundred times until the rough patches in the casing are filed down so to speak.

Does anyone know what I am talking about or ever done something like this to fix a sticky valve before? If so how did it work out for you and how did you do it? I'm at my wits end with this valve and need to fix it before I get tempted to chuck this tuba down a flight of stairs.

[Dan Castillo]

So this being the 21st century...I made a youtube video so that I could provide a visual of what is happening. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bJx_6kY ... e=youtu.be

Kiltie..the bent valve stem did happen one time with this valve and I had that fixed. If anyone sees the video and thinks they know what is up, your help is greatly appreciated!

[Dan Schultz]

So this being the 21st century...I made a youtube video so that I could provide a visual of what is happening. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bJx_6kY ... e=youtu.be

Kiltie..the bent valve stem did happen one time with this valve and I had that fixed. If anyone sees the video and thinks they know what is up, your help is greatly appreciated!

It's very plain to see that you have a distorted port at the first piston casing. Check for a loose brace... The brace flanges might be tight but you could have a loose connection at the tube and socket.... or maybe you need to add a brace.

Reviewing your video... I'd surmise that the same act that bent your valve stem also caused some trauma to the 1st valve circuit or the leadpipe.

DON'T try to fix this yourself!

[eupher61]

It looks like you've answered your own question, in the video. Maybe a different shop???

[bisontuba]

Hi-
Take your horn to a different shop. When you get the repair bill, pay it and send a copy of it to Custom/B&S and ask for a reimbursement---I am very serious. Seeing your video, that valve isn't sticky but nearly stuck--no excuses for a horn that costs that much--they need better quality control.
Good luck.
Mark

[bisontuba]

Joe-
I would think if the horn was bumped or damaged by the tubist, he might remember an incident. However, after reading the post again and seeing it has been this way for years, I do wonder now what is going on. But it seems that horn maker has many, many piston valve issues-- just plain fact.
EDIT: I see in the following post that this particular tuba is not new--I take back my statement about sending the repair bill for this tuba to Germany.

And Dale, having owned many horns made by that company and their parent in years gone by, and on each piston horn of theirs having a piston valve issue, and on one instrument--I actually sent it back to Germany and got a replacement that still had piston issues, I am not angry but frustrated that the company continues to have issues with their piston valves...you can make snide comments, but the company needs to deal with this problem---this is nothing new.
EDIT: see above statement--since this is NOT a new horn, sending a bill to Germany would not be right.

And Dan, I hope you can get your horn up and running ASAP with all the valves working smoothly--nothing more frustrating that a sticky/nearly stuck piston-- best of luck!!

Mark

[Dan Castillo]

Thanks for the comments. I am not the original owner, so if there was something that happened a long time ago to cause that stress on the casing, I wasn't there for it. However....I do recall now that about five years ago, while flying with it, something happened during the transit that damaged the leadpipe and cause it to be bent up at the mouthpiece receiver. I had the leadpipe taken off,repaired, and then put back on. I suppose it's possible that whatever happened back then could have damaged the first valve (or maybe the repair of the leadpipe did that). Like I said, I can usually manage by keeping it clean and oiled, but lately it's gotten much worse.

In response to some of the other questions...yes, it is the standard B&S "big valve" that everybody seems to hate. I have not tried this piston in other casings or other pistons in this one, but will give it a try tomorrow.

DP - I sent you a message

[Dan Castillo]

Bloke, your hypothesis was correct. I took the horn last Friday to Alan Harvey (plays tuba in Cheyenne Symphony, and works on horns on the side in addition to having a "real job") to have him take a look at it. Ironically, he had seen this thread and thought that the bell going in the direction of the valve set was a possibility once he saw the horn himself. We detached the lead pipe from the bell and the stress on the casing must have been released because the valve was able to move freely. Over the weekend he put the lead pipe back on (moved over just a bit so as not to irritate that casing anymore) and I am pleased to report that the valve is working better than it ever has. This makes me really happy because this tuba is an amazing instrument when it actually works!

[SousaSaver]

' glad it's working!
' wasn't rocket science after seeing your video.

+1

Good advice Joe!

[Harvey Hartman]

I know everyone knows not to do this but I think it can be said again.. Just a reminder do not pick your horn up Or take it out of its Case by the Valve Section.. You will start have Valve Problem like this ..Just something to keep in mind