Who rebuilds piston valves now in the post-Secrist era?

arpthark · Post by **arpthark** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 6:43 am

Dan Oberloh is the only person I know of but I feel like there are a few more folks doing it in the Midwest.

Who else?

daktx2 · Post by **daktx2** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 7:50 am

This isn't exactly the answer to your question, but when Dana Hofer (Chicago based repairman) assisted a friend of mine in having his older Besson Eb's pistons replated, Dana took the valveset off the horn, packed it well, and sent it to Dan Oberloh...

LargeTuba · Post by **LargeTuba** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 8:02 am

Mark Metzler near Elkhart Indiana does it.

2nd tenor · Post by **2nd tenor** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 8:07 am

I’m just wondering what valve rebuilds mean to differ people and in particular to the OP to to any repairmen reading this too.

arpthark · Post by **arpthark** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 8:16 am

2nd tenor wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 8:07 am I’m just wondering what valve rebuilds mean to differ people and in particular to the OP to to any repairmen reading this too.

Replating and fitting worn piston valves.

bloke · Post by **bloke** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 11:26 am

LOL...

I purchased an Imperial euphonium from someone in the UK quite a few years ago that looked really nice and featured a new silver plated finish, but then I pulled the valves out and they were loose in the casings and silver plated as well.

I have not bought any more used euphoniums from the UK.

TheHatTuba · Post by **TheHatTuba** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 11:44 am

Would lacquer have been better? I know how much you hate silver plate

More seriously, does Mr. Stofer rebuild valves?

2nd tenor · Post by **2nd tenor** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 11:54 am

arpthark wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 8:16 am
2nd tenor wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 8:07 am I’m just wondering what valve rebuilds mean to differ people and in particular to the OP to to any repairmen reading this too.
Replating and fitting worn piston valves.

Thanks. I wonder what can be done about worn bores but perhaps the pistons are plated oversize and lapped in if necessary. I’m assuming chrome plate and that the old / part worn plate is stripped away first

TheHatTuba · Post by **TheHatTuba** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 12:15 pm

2nd tenor wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 11:54 am Thanks. I wonder what can be done about worn bores but perhaps the pistons are plated oversize and lapped in if necessary. I’m assuming chrome plate and that the old / part worn plate is stripped away first

http://www.oberloh.com/gallery/tubavalvereferbish.htm

bloke · Post by **bloke** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 2:26 pm

casings:
honed as little as possible - until they are perfect cylinders (as they tend to become V-shaped over time).
compromises:
- extremely-worn casings
- casings with epic damage in single spots, where no air leak will occur
- so worn that the guide key-way begins to become shallow

pistons:
- plating (if plated) stripped
- if F.U.B.A.R., repaired (typically with lead solder, drilling-out replacing female stem threads, rotted out porting, rotted out spring plates, etc...
- turned as little as possible (until true/cylindrical)
- plated up with copper (until larger than the casing's new i.d.)
- turned back down (to a bit under the casing's new i.d.)
- plated with nickel (last two steps - as with copper)
- "lapped" into the casing (final fit)

arpthark · Post by **arpthark** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 5:03 pm

LargeTuba wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 8:02 am Mark Metzler near Elkhart Indiana does it.

Looking at his website, it seems like he sends/sent things to Anderson's (not sure how recent that is). Is he doing valves on his own now?

Anybody on the east coast?

b.williams · Post by **b.williams** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 5:19 pm

Osmun (from website):

Tuba/Euphonium Services

Tuba/Euphonium Piston Valve Rebuild: Rebuild and refit a set of pistons. Includes honing of pistons and casings, heavy nickel plate, replacement of corks felts, and springs (if needed). A full chemical/Ultrasonic cleaning is included with this service.

https://osmun.com/repair-services/

arpthark · Post by **arpthark** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 5:28 pm

LargeTuba · Post by **LargeTuba** » Tue Oct 10, 2023 7:52 pm

arpthark wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 5:03 pm
LargeTuba wrote: ↑Tue Oct 10, 2023 8:02 am Mark Metzler near Elkhart Indiana does it.
Looking at his website, it seems like he sends/sent things to Anderson's (not sure how recent that is). Is he doing valves on his own now?

Anybody on the east coast?

Yup! He does the honing and Anderson does the plating. I think he was taught by the guy at Anderson before he retired.

arpthark · Post by **arpthark** » Wed Oct 11, 2023 2:09 pm

FYI, was just quoted by Osmun Music near Boston for $1,700 minimum, not including shop time. Yowza!

bloke · Post by **bloke** » Wed Oct 11, 2023 3:13 pm

arpthark wrote: ↑Wed Oct 11, 2023 2:09 pm FYI, was just quoted by Osmun Music near Boston for $1,700 minimum, not including shop time. Yowza!

Might be interesting to stop by sometime in a surprise visit and asked to see their valve rebuilding room.

You know, most anyone could advertise that service.

Grumpikins · Post by **Grumpikins** » Wed Oct 11, 2023 6:59 pm

What about asking a regular machine shop? A clear description of what you want done, precise dimensions, tolerances, etc.

Sent from my SM-S367VL using Tapatalk

Dents Be Gone! · Post by **Dents Be Gone!** » Thu Oct 12, 2023 5:57 am

I agree, guys. This is the way to go.

DonO. · Post by **DonO.** » Thu Oct 12, 2023 7:22 am

arpthark wrote: ↑Wed Oct 11, 2023 2:09 pm FYI, was just quoted by Osmun Music near Boston for $1,700 minimum, not including shop time. Yowza!

Still a bargain if it’s for the right tuba. Way cheaper than a new tuba!

arpthark · Post by **arpthark** » Thu Oct 12, 2023 7:24 am

DonO. wrote: ↑Thu Oct 12, 2023 7:22 am
arpthark wrote: ↑Wed Oct 11, 2023 2:09 pm FYI, was just quoted by Osmun Music near Boston for $1,700 minimum, not including shop time. Yowza!
Still a bargain if it’s for the right tuba. Way cheaper than a new tuba!

Indeed. But, I think it's not the right tuba!

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Who rebuilds piston valves now in the post-Secrist era?

Who rebuilds piston valves now in the post-Secrist era?

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