Posted by Matt Walters on September 24, 2001 at 18:02:52:
In Reply to: Restoration of an Alexander tuba posted by Anthony Labelle on September 24, 2001 at 10:48:55:
1) Keep the bow caps as the brass and seam under the cap is typically very crude on German tubas.
2) Bell and Nickel rim should be professionally rolled out and the rim resoldered. IN the meanwhile have the rim rolled on a "fast Eddie" and put felt strips under the nickel rim to prevent buzzing.
3) Free the stuck slides. Squirt penetrant on the tubes for a couple of days. Loop a lamp wick around the crook of the slides and tug the slide out. Except for #2 you should be able to gently twist the slides to break the corrosion . Often that will do the trick after the penetrant did it's job.
4) Remove the the rotors and givei the horn a nice bath.
5) put it back together and see what comes of it.
6) Tape down the jagged bow caps and have them soldered when you have money.
7) Solder only what is leaking.
Good luck. Matt