Rotary Valve Upkeep

[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

[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.

[Alebeard]

(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