Posted by Rick Denney on April 03, 2003 at 20:52:04:
In Reply to: Re: Oil : BiNak vs. Hetman's posted by Paul Gramann on April 03, 2003 at 20:17:45:
I tried and tried to make BiNaK work on my Yamaha valves, and it just wouldn't. I cleaned them thoroughly, very thoroughly, several times, but with the BiNaK they were just gooey feeling. I think it has something to do with the Monel formulation they use.
On the Yamaha, I'm back to Ali-Syn, which always works on that instrument. I was unable to find any petroleum-based oil that would work, though I never tried Hetmans.
But the BiNaK is the like a dream on the York Master valves--fast and easy, and never the too-much-or-not-enough situation you describe. I apply oil to the valve about every two weeks.
On the Holton, I've decided to stick with Hetmans, because the valves worked so well after the visit to Lee Stofer that I have no reason to switch.
Rick "not bothered by using three different oils on three different tubas" Denney