Satish Robertson

Is it better to oil the valves form the underside of the horn or is it better to do it from the top? Thanks.

scream machine

? I don't know what your talking about, I just take my valves out to oil them.

uatrmpt

I've seen people try to oil them by drizzling oil down the stems and others by shooting oil through the vent hole in the bottom valve cap (which I admit to doing in an emergency). Neither is all that great of a method. I feel the best way is to pull the valve about half way out of the casing and apply oil all the way around it. Oiling through the valve slides works too.

TRUMPONIMUS

The Proper way to oil your valves is to take the valve out of the horn completely and apply the oil to the whole valve from the top down.
When you replace the valve, line up the valve guides to fit the inside cylinders first, so that you are putting them in the way will lock inside. As you put the valve back in use a Slight twisting motion to distribute the oil evenly on the inside cylinders.
Anything else is a short cut and doesn't do a good job.

Oh Yes ... Always use La Tromba T2 Special valve oil
http://www.bikyle.com/T2.asp

ptynan

If you put oil in the holes in the bottom of the valves you can push the junk that has gathered there up into the caseing. I'd take them out.

By the way have you tried bells super lube?

http://www.bellssuperlube.com/

Best oil I have ever tried.

PT

Deecy

1. You don't have to worry about "spreading" the oil around the valve. Capillary attraction will take care of that perfectly well.
2. NEVER spin the valve! (I've seen players do this after re-inserting it. Why? Go figure.)
3. Unscrew all three valve caps. Let them be. Lay the horn on your lap with your legs spread (pull up skirt or dress if wearing one), bell to your left (if right-handed) and top of horn away from you. Pull out a valve and hang the bottom of it just inside the cylinder. Use right foot tip-toe to keep valve from falling on the floor. Place a few drops of oil up and down the side of the valve (at most 3 or 4) and slide it gently back into the cylinder until the notch engages. Tighten cap.
4. Repeat with other two valves.
5. Play horn.
Will hanging the bottom of the monel valve inside the cylinder cause nicking? No, because monel (valve) is hard and brass (cylinder casing) is soft. Still don't like the idea? Fine. Remove valve altogether and place 3 drops of oil up and down one side.
Don't believe me on capillary attraction spreading the oil? Fine. Alternate sides with each lube job.
I've also had players tell me they remove the valve and dip it in oil! Yikes!

uatrmpt

I'm almost afraid to oil my valves in public now!

Tootsall

If you've got the right container with lots of oil that's a GREAT way to ensure that the valve is a) rinsed off of all "wee bits" and b) has 100% coverage! ...including up inside the (hollow) piston itself.

I like to run enough oil on the valve (hanging 1/2 out of the casing) to "wash" the outside of the piston (and inside of the casing) "down" into the bottom cap.

Deecy

It's also a GREAT way to assure an oily, clogged up interior in your horn.
"Wee bits"? What's that about?
"100% coverage? Don't you believe in the principles of physics?
Oiling the INSIDE of the pistons? Maybe we should just immerse the entire horn in Mobil 1 and play it with rubber gloves!
I repeat - YIKES!

trumpet blower88

What makes this so bad?