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Rotary Valve Upkeep
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2023 12:34 pm
by Alebeard
Hello,
I got to thinking that I will be receiving my first personally owned rotary valve tuba. I have never had to maintain rotary valves before as most of the stuff I played in the past had piston valves. Figured this would be the best place to ask you all for tips and tricks on keeping the rotary valves in primo condition. I sincerely appreciate any feedback you can provide!
Cheers,
Jared
Re: Rotary Valve Upkeep
Posted: Sat Jan 21, 2023 3:05 pm
by bloke
(others - perhaps not you, as you might be seeing this advice for the first time - are tired of reading my posts on this sort of thing...)
On the pivot ends (top and bottom - "bearings") use the THICKEST oil that does NOT slow down the rotors (possibly up to regular 30W that's out in your storage room for you mower). A needle oiler is probably what you would use to spill the least amount.
Down through the rotor bodies (sloshed through the main bore of the instrument through the rotors - probably introduced from the main slide outside slide tube) slosh a a generous amount of cheap oil (buy a gallon of "ultrapure paraffin lamp oil and refill little bottles as needed) back-and-forth (tilting the tuba this way and that) through them (while working the levers) several times before playing (and after playing helps as well. Obviously - as the excess finds it way to the main slide, empty it out.
Re: Rotary Valve Upkeep
Posted: Mon Feb 06, 2023 11:45 am
by Alebeard
bloke wrote:(others - perhaps not you, as you might be seeing this advice for the first time - are tired of reading my posts on this sort of thing...)
On the pivot ends (top and bottom - "bearings") use the THICKEST oil that does NOT slow down the rotors (possibly up to regular 30W that's out in your storage room for you mower). A needle oiler is probably what you would use to spill the least amount.
Down through the rotor bodies (sloshed through the main bore of the instrument through the rotors - probably introduced from the main slide outside slide tube) slosh a a generous amount of cheap oil (buy a gallon of "ultrapure paraffin lamp oil and refill little bottles as needed) back-and-forth (tilting the tuba this way and that) through them (while working the levers) several times before playing (and after playing helps as well. Obviously - as the excess finds it way to the main slide, empty it out.
Hey Bloke, forgot to say thanks for this handy info! Appreciate it!
Cheers,
Jared