Oiling Rotor Valves
Rotor valves on trombones and tubas require regular oiling to keep them moving quickly and quietly. I have always used a 3-oil system for my valves. This makes sure each part gets oiled properly. Just as you wouldn’t put engine oil in your transmission, different parts of the valve require different lubricants.
Supplies you’ll need*:
Rotor valves on trombones and tubas require regular oiling to keep them moving quickly and quietly. I have always used a 3-oil system for my valves. This makes sure each part gets oiled properly. Just as you wouldn’t put engine oil in your transmission, different parts of the valve require different lubricants.
Supplies you’ll need*:
1. Al Cass Valve Oil
2. Hetman Light Bearing and Linkage Oil (you can substitute Yamaha Rotor Spindle Oil here if you prefer)
3. Hetman Ball Joint Oil
Getting prepared:
Do your oiling in a place where no one will be upset if oil drips onto any surfaces or the floor. I often place a section of newspaper under where oil drips out to keep it from getting on the carpet.
Have all your supplies handy. Remove the mouthpiece and store it safely out of the way. Trombones: remove the slide and place it safely out of the way.
Important: If your instrument is dirty, you may wash dirt into the valve when you oil it. Make sure your instrument is clean before doing the procedures below.
Oiling the valve:
To avoid getting confused with three different oils, remember that the lightest oil (Al Cass) lubricates the largest part and gets used most often. The heaviest, most viscous oil (Hetman Ball Joint oil) goes on the smallest part and is used the least often.
For most valves, you’ll perform step1 more often than step 2 or 3. Step 2 will often be done more often than step 3.
Step 1
2. Hetman Light Bearing and Linkage Oil (you can substitute Yamaha Rotor Spindle Oil here if you prefer)
3. Hetman Ball Joint Oil
Getting prepared:
Do your oiling in a place where no one will be upset if oil drips onto any surfaces or the floor. I often place a section of newspaper under where oil drips out to keep it from getting on the carpet.
Have all your supplies handy. Remove the mouthpiece and store it safely out of the way. Trombones: remove the slide and place it safely out of the way.
Important: If your instrument is dirty, you may wash dirt into the valve when you oil it. Make sure your instrument is clean before doing the procedures below.
Oiling the valve:
To avoid getting confused with three different oils, remember that the lightest oil (Al Cass) lubricates the largest part and gets used most often. The heaviest, most viscous oil (Hetman Ball Joint oil) goes on the smallest part and is used the least often.
For most valves, you’ll perform step1 more often than step 2 or 3. Step 2 will often be done more often than step 3.
Step 1
Oil the valve itself. Drip Al Cass valve oil down into the valve(s). Depending on your valve’s age and condition, you may have to do this as often as every week.
–Trombone: Remove the tuning slides and drip the oil down into the valve through the neckpipe and through the f-attachment tubing while pushing the lever up and down. Depending on the instrument’s cleanliness or the type of grease you use, you may want to drip the oil up through the handslide receiver.
–Tuba: Drip the oil into the leadpipe; reinsert the mouthpiece and gently blow the oil down into the valves. Do not put oil in your mouthpiece. You can also drip oil through each valve’s tubing or through the main tuning slide.
If you use too much oil, you may have to let it drain out.
Step 2
Oil the bearings. The bearings hold the valve in place inside the case. One bearing is found under the rotor cap. The other is seen where the rotor stem/shaft comes out of the case.
–Trombone: Remove the tuning slides and drip the oil down into the valve through the neckpipe and through the f-attachment tubing while pushing the lever up and down. Depending on the instrument’s cleanliness or the type of grease you use, you may want to drip the oil up through the handslide receiver.
–Tuba: Drip the oil into the leadpipe; reinsert the mouthpiece and gently blow the oil down into the valves. Do not put oil in your mouthpiece. You can also drip oil through each valve’s tubing or through the main tuning slide.
If you use too much oil, you may have to let it drain out.
Step 2
Oil the bearings. The bearings hold the valve in place inside the case. One bearing is found under the rotor cap. The other is seen where the rotor stem/shaft comes out of the case.
A. Remove the valve cap and place a large drop of the Bearing and Linkage Oil where the bearing pokes through the valve cap (it’s the moving part visible in the raised center portion under the cap). Screw the valve cap back on.
B. Turn the instrument over. Looking at the valve, you’ll see a stem that comes out of the casing; it’s the center of the part that moves when you press the valve. Place some oil at the base of the stem so it will work its way down into the bearing.
Step 3
Step 3
3. Oil the ball joint(s) (if present). Place a drop of Ball Joint lubricant on the ball of the ball and socket joint. Work the socket back and forth in all directions to evenly coat the surfaces with the oil.
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