Valve Oil for Euphoniums

Brandon Jones · Post by **Brandon Jones** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 6:28 pm

Just curious as to which brand of valve oil you euphonium players use and why. Specifically on a Yamaha 642. I've been told so many different things, and mainly, they all pretty much feel the same once you get your valves broken in. I've used everything from Al Cass to Hetman Light Piston #1, Space Filler, and the standard Yamaha oil that it came with. Let me know your opinions. Maybe there's something I'm not looking for or missing here!

Adam C. · Post by **Adam C.** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 7:38 pm

I use blue juice on all my tubas- it's cheap, comes in a big bottle, and pretty.

Seems to require daily dousing, but I don't mind.

DonShirer · Post by **DonShirer** » Tue Mar 23, 2004 7:41 pm

Similar 7:1 mix of pure (non-scented) lamp oil (available in many hardware stores) to 3in1 oil was recommended on original BBS several weeks ago. I tried it and it appears to work fine. Six bucks gives you what seems like a lifetime supply.

Don S.

pg · Post by pg » Tue Mar 23, 2004 9:56 pm

On my 641, I use Hetman #2 (my valves are quite broken in) and am quite satisfied. Al Cass didn't last and I gave up on the Binak - too much fussin'.

--paul;

Seth Fletcher · Post by **Seth Fletcher** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 3:32 pm

Yo B,

I use Al Cass simply because it has always worked and never caused any problem whatsoever. If it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Cheers,

Seth

Rick F · Post by **Rick F** » Wed Mar 24, 2004 6:03 pm

I've been using Hetman Light Piston Oil on my YEP-641 for about a year now. It works just great.

As Paul said above, BiNak was too much trouble.

Teubonium · Post by **Teubonium** » Thu Mar 25, 2004 5:00 pm

I'm a big Hetmans fan! They make a whole lot of synthetic lubes in various weights.

I use #1 on my Besson 967 Euph about once a week, no problems. Been using it since the horn was new (2 years).

I use #14 on my Miraphone 186 rotors.

I use #4 light tuning slide grease on slides I pull while playing.

I use #9 heavy slide grease on my 186 main tuning slide as it accidently gets bumped when I lay the horn down in my lap. The stiff grease holds the slide still during these slight accidental bumps. This might be a solution for your euph main tuning slide if it moves easily as you hold it against your belly.

All other tuning slides get #7.

oldbandnerd · Post by **oldbandnerd** » Thu May 19, 2005 11:10 pm

Al Cass Fast. It is the best !!!

Dan Satterwhite · Post by **Dan Satterwhite** » Thu May 19, 2005 11:42 pm

I went through a whole bunch of oils on my Yamaha 822F when I was having bad problems with valve "chatter". They seemed to respond best to Clark "Viper Oil". I think it has a teflon additive in it. After a few years of trouble free use, I've been using Blue Juice on all my valves...tuba, old Hirsbrunner euphonium, R Meinl cimbasso, and Yamaha bass trombone rotors.

Lee Stofer just did a very nice chem clean of the Hirsbrunner euphonium, and I was issued some Hetmann to try. So far, so good.

Dan

Chuck(G) · Post by **Chuck(G)** » Thu May 19, 2005 11:51 pm

Why not kill two birds with one stone? Lubricate your pistons and get the benefit of Omega 3 fatty acids:

ufoneum · Post by **ufoneum** » Thu May 19, 2005 11:56 pm

I was a die hard Blue Juice fan for the longest time, but recently switched to Webster's. It was designed by Roger Webster, prin. cornet for Black Dyke. It lasts a long time, and it is super smooth. I play on a well traveled Besson, but it works great for newer horns as well.

Ryan_Beucke · Post by **Ryan_Beucke** » Fri May 20, 2005 1:15 am

For many horns with more broken in horns, it doesn't make much of a difference what oil you use as long as you use it properly. However, newer yamaha horns have really tight valves and also the alloy used is a bit finicky. I found on my 642 that the best oil was the Hetmans #1. Here's how you can make sure your valves will work well though.

Clean the horn often, I like once a month, but once every 3 months is probably the most I'd let it go. Make sure you clean everything well, and then let it all air dry. If you insist on using a cloth, make sure it's lint free. Make sure the valves are absolutely dry. Add you oil liberally, making sure the valve and casing are soaked. Work the oil in. Then, every day that you play, apply oil. That way they will stay in their best shape, and the oil being applied every day will prevent other stuff from getting on them.

dave · Post by **dave** » Fri May 20, 2005 2:03 am

I use Binak Pro on my Hirsbrunner, and have since new. No problems with maintenance, a little goes a long way. I also use the binak tuning slide grease.

-Dave

elimia · Post by **elimia** » Fri May 20, 2005 7:40 pm

Brandon Jones wrote:Just curious as to which brand of valve oil you euphonium players use and why. Specifically on a Yamaha 642. I've been told so many different things, and mainly, they all pretty much feel the same once you get your valves broken in. I've used everything from Al Cass to Hetman Light Piston #1, Space Filler, and the standard Yamaha oil that it came with. Let me know your opinions. Maybe there's something I'm not looking for or missing here!

I use Hetman's #2 on a Yamaha 641

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