Flattened instrument

[Chasetbr]

Have any of you flattened an old instrument like the picture below? I want to flatten and frame a trombone for my band director since that is his main instrument. Seniors of years past have just done a picture as a parting gift, but I thought this would be much more interesting. Especially since I'm "that kid" in band who now fixes instruments for my director and also buys, fixes, and sells other instruments for myself for some cash for a high schooler. I work well with my hands so any suggestions are considered. I was thinking first I would bend the bell slightly by hand so it doesn't bend in a weird direction. Then I'm not sure what I should do. I might get a piece of plywood and sandwich the trombone between it and the concrete garage floor and run my truck over it several times. What are your ideas? Have any of you done this before?

[dave_matheson]

I would think that a steam roller would work very well

[Greenbenches]

I've done that to a trumpet with a 50 ton hydraulic press. I had to do it in sections as the press wouldn't do it all at once. The valves didn't go as flat as I'd like. I should have pulled the guts. Also, the solder joints mostly came apart. I used small brass brads to mount it to a wooden plaque, pre drilling the holes. Gave it to my boss as an "A flat Trumpet"
Michael

[saxophyte]

I flattened an Eb sousa by steam roller, without valves came out just as expected .

[toobagrowl]

That guys' an idiot...that sousaphone is not beyond repair and I know a handful of students in my area alone who would die to have that horn as their own...pretty sad!

+1

[peter birch]

it's an exhibit form a British artist, Cornelia Parker, entitled "Breathless". I saw it at a gallery near where I live and Im sure I saw an instrument I learned on.

[Three Valves]

...so we would agree that "government-created wars" (where infinitely more **** than this is destroyed, and - typically - their primary purposes are to distract from government-created economic collapses) are really REALLY REALLY stupid, eh ?

Is that Putin on the steamroller??

[dave_matheson]

bbbwahahahahahah .... this video link will get the tongues wagging at TubeNet .... see the video of the Sousaphone getting crushed by the steamroller ... right here --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caKVGee_zX4#t=75" target="_blank

[dave_matheson]

more madness, bbbwahahaha .... if you thought that squashed Sousaphones were ethically and morally repugnant, how about a Tuba dropped from 70 feet ? https://vimeo.com/33866375" target="_blank

[NCSUSousa]

Since your goal is a framed object, why not get a 5lb sledgehammer and do it by hand?
That way you'll have more control over the finished product.

If you're going to use plywood under your truck wheels, I'd suggest getting 3/4" so that it doesn't crack under the stress.

[lowpitchmoravian]

Just get Bloke or Tuba Tinker to SIT on it !!

[Tubajug]

Just get Bloke or Tuba Tinker to SIT on it !!

Well, that's not very nice to say...

[timothy42b]

Just get Bloke or Tuba Tinker to SIT on it !!

Well, that's not very nice to say...

But I hear they never fill the bathtub more than half full.

[Three Valves]

That is precisely why I take showers!!

[bigtubby]

more madness, bbbwahahaha .... if you thought that squashed Sousaphones were ethically and morally repugnant, how about a Tuba dropped from 70 feet ? https://vimeo.com/33866375" target="_blank" target="_blank

"The tuba was first patented in 1835" ... "Let's see how an 18th Century tuba ..."

Back to the future I guess.

[MackBrass]

I had a tuba that arrived damage beyond repair a few years ago and this is what i did after the claim was denied. First take out all the valves. Then place it on a driveway with a long 2 x 12 covering it. Lastly drive the heaviest suv or truck over it, and over it while moving the 2 x 12 to flatten the tuba as much as possible. Lastly use some small guage wire and hag over fireplace in mancave.

[tofu]

I bet you could just go to a local auto shop and drop one of the auto lifts on it. Even better with a large heavy suv like an Escalade or Expedition on the lift. They'd probably do it for free just for the grins, but always good karma to give the guys five-ten bucks. They'll remember you the next time you need a favor.

[David Richoux]

Just saw this on a non-tuba related Facebook page...

flat sousaphone.jpg

[Donn]

Wow - someone went to a lot of work for that, I'd guess. Does it look like there was some effort made to punch a sort of rim around the outer edge?

[Chasetbr]

I bet you could just go to a local auto shop and drop one of the auto lifts on it. Even better with a large heavy suv like an Escalade or Expedition on the lift. They'd probably do it for free just for the grins, but always good karma to give the guys five-ten bucks. They'll remember you the next time you need a favor.

I drive an escalade truck so If the thing can drag around a few tubas it can certainly flatten one I'd guess!

I had a tuba that arrived damage beyond repair a few years ago and this is what i did after the claim was denied. First take out all the valves. Then place it on a driveway with a long 2 x 12 covering it. Lastly drive the heaviest suv or truck over it, and over it while moving the 2 x 12 to flatten the tuba as much as possible. Lastly use some small guage wire and hag over fireplace in mancave.

Good advice thank you!!