Sticky Valve / Maintenance

Discussion of playing techniques. What do you think of different instruments and accessories?

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john
Posts: 47
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:40 pm

Sticky Valve / Maintenance

Post by john »

1 Million note Maintenance.

I recently flushed out the cornet with mild soapy luke warm water after carefully removing slides and valves.
The valves also got a quick wash.
>I used no abrasives or brushes during the cleaning<

After reassembling and oiling it up, I still make exactly the same mistakes :shock: :P and it sounds exactly the same :P

But...... When blasting through fast passages my second valve is very slightly sticky when reaching its final 1/4 inch of return.
Tried more valve oil, tried spit, don't seem to make much difference.
The problem is only VERY slight but enough to screw up a group of triplets.

Its a Sovereign.

What do I do next?..... is it recommended to tighten up the valve spring a little?
......Hmmmmmm.... and what could be the reasons for the problem in the first place..... Im no novice! :wink: I know how not to damage valves so its got to be something small I have overlooked.


Any suggestions or tips greatly apreciated
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Highams
Posts: 393
Joined: Fri May 09, 2003 7:17 pm
Location: Slough Berkshire UK
Contact:

Post by Highams »

Try removing the valve guide and refitting the valve. If it still drags, then it's the valve, if not, the guide. These can be trimmed slightly with a normal nail file.

Make sure you use a non-fluffy cloth when cleaning valves & casings.

When you undo the valve cap the valve should rise up as if released, otherwise the spring is too weak.

www.euph9.freeserve.co.uk
Aspire & Be Inspired
john
Posts: 47
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:40 pm

Post by john »

Cheers!..

I forgot about the p0p up valve test... Indeed all springs are weak. and possibly the valve guide was catching a bit.... When I cleaned the valve I must have removed a greasy buildup that was helping it to slide.

My quick fix:-

extend spring slightly ....(all 3 to be replaced soon anyway 'ill have a word with the treasurer' :wink: )
small amount of Vaseline on the valve guide ((only))

slick machine again.
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tigger908
Posts: 46
Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2004 5:28 pm

oil

Post by tigger908 »

I seem to go through alot of oil, I play almost every night. but my valves still require a few drops regulally?

I now play my own yamaha sop, but was playing a shilke belonging to the band. I concidered buying drum or tanker for that thing, it had to be oiled requlally though the rehursal!

Tigger
bandsman12
Posts: 1
Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2004 12:07 am
Location: south wales

Re: oil

Post by bandsman12 »

tigger908 wrote:I seem to go through alot of oil, I play almost every night. but my valves still require a few drops regulally?

I now play my own yamaha sop, but was playing a shilke belonging to the band. I concidered buying drum or tanker for that thing, it had to be oiled requlally though the rehursal!

Tigger
work ok with other sop player lollllll solohorn ynyshir (stacks of tiles) band
Highams
Posts: 393
Joined: Fri May 09, 2003 7:17 pm
Location: Slough Berkshire UK
Contact:

Post by Highams »

Take some time to read this and you will realise not all valve oils are the same!

http://palimpsest.stanford.edu/byform/m ... 00055.html

www.euph9.freeserve.co.uk
Aspire & Be Inspired
tigger908
Posts: 46
Joined: Fri Jan 23, 2004 5:28 pm

Post by tigger908 »

Someone once told me that taking the valves out and cleaning with petrol sometimes helps, stinks though.

Ive polished valves with brasso to reduce rubbing.

Its also worth checking if the valves are stright, incredible as it seems I had a cornet once in which the third valve had a very slight bend.

Tiggs
john
Posts: 47
Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2004 9:40 pm

Post by john »

I have recently started to use watered down washing up liquid in an old valve oil bottle exclusively....

The cheapest brand as it is not so concentrated.
Cleans and lubricates at the same time, also I can callibrate the consistency perfectly to my own valves.....

very happy.
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