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Is there any water key spring available that wraps around the tail of the water key somehow instead of poked through by the main screw?

I have this old tuba and the handful of water key springs I have lying around aren't working because there is no clearance here to install them on this tuba that I can see. I have some old Conn, Yamaha, and Jupiter springs.

Here is what I am dealing with:











The tail of the water key has a nipple on it which I am assuming was used to hold the original spring somehow.

Any solutions? Is there a modern something-or-other that may work? I am admittedly not very savvy to water key spring design. Thanks!

If there is absolutely no hinge tube - and no place to wrap a wire spring – you might consider drilling one or two very small holes (the correct size for the thread about to be mentioned) And tap a 0-80 thread, in order to install a (I would recommend stout) woodwind-style flat spring.



You might also find or make a saxophone flat spring (tiny/brass – would solder onto the bow) guide, which will allow it to operate more smoothly.

Thanks! I will keep that solution in my back pocket. However, I would prefer at this point to avoid soldering or drilling and (simply) finding some-shaped spring that will do what I want it to do. If such a thing exists!

Bar that, I'm considering getting a longer screw and some washers/nuts that will offer a place for the loops on the springs that I do have to stay put.

Bar THAT, I'm likely going to just use a rubber band until I get my keister to the hardware store.

Get a woodwind person to help you (either extracting that broken off screw, or grinding it down flush, and drilling/tapping back behind it).
The free tip of the flat spring would have pointed back towards the nipple, and contacted (and ended at) the saddle (which DUAL PURPOSED as a saddle AND flat spring guide).

I feel very strongly that this is the way to go and with few - if any - alternatives (if you definitely wish to retain the original water keys).

The blue arrow is pointing to the original evidence marks of the original flat spring.

I apologize for not looking more closely, as my phone wasn't allowing me to see these details, and I'm now on my laptop.

You are the man, Joe! Thanks very much. I see how it likely fit together now. Weird stuff with this very, very old tuba.

The closest tech to me, while he does a fine job on my (for-playing, and not for-tinkering) tuba, is a former Giardinelli guy, a very talented bassoonist and primarily works on woodwinds. I will see if he can assist. I ain't got the tools or skills to do that yet without screwing it up.

For now, the rubber band will have to do.

I am so appreciative that this forum can be so very helpful.

Yeah, good woodwind repair people extract broken off needle springs out of posts, broken off flat spring screws (or drill and tap next to the original hole, as I described above), and stuck knock pins out of right hand flute key assemblies all the time.

Assuming they are competent, this will be no big deal for them.