Quote:
Originally Posted by oldlou  My intent for the long term is to hone out the cylinders, spin the pistons in my machine lathe to true round and copper plate them back up to a very tight fit, prior to lapping them for smooth action. |
Sounds fun, but I do have some concerns:
1) Metals of the same type seem to stick together quite well; when a Monel valve plating wears, the valves drag a lot more. I don't know how copper and brass might react with one another.
2) Replating the valves is a big change on a horn that is in such good shape, I'm thinking along two lines here:
a) It's a major job done to a horn that is otherwise all original--I'm thinking in terms of historical value here.
b) There have been some fine old horns (by this I mean
old and horns as in french horn) that have been ruined by tightening up the valves--they were built around the leaky valves, so to speak.
I think you have a great find, oldlou, and I'd hate to see it harmed. I'll shut up now, and not nag again.
