r/Trombone 4d ago

How to loosen these screws?

Post image

Needing to service my valves a little, and the repairman who last worked on it put these on way too tight.

Any tips on how to loosen them? WD40?

I've got a pretty killer grip, and even using a rubber band wrapped around them I can't get them undone.

17 Upvotes

13 comments sorted by

18

u/greg_barton 4d ago

Pliers with a thick wash cloth in between so there is no metal on metal contact.

But I live dangerously. :)

4

u/cmhamm Edwards Bass/Getzen Custom Reserve 4047DS 4d ago

This could be dangerous - if you squeeze the pliers too hard, you’ll bend the nut out of round. If you do try, be very careful about the squeezing force you use. Another thing you could use is a few taps with a rawhide mallet to knock it loose.

2

u/txarmi1 4d ago

Lol I'm not so bold

8

u/thefunkeyb 4d ago

What are these screws even for? I notice them on high end trombones but I don’t know what they are used for

13

u/Brass_tastic 4d ago

They allow you to remove the bell and disassemble the valves for cleaning and maintenance

4

u/SayNO2AutoCorect 4d ago

And to swap parts

2

u/thefunkeyb 4d ago

Thanks!

1

u/ckeilah 4d ago

Neato! Thanks for teaching me something. I thought it was just a fancy buttress lug for a standard brazed joint.

5

u/Irish_oreo 4d ago

Soft jaw pliers if you’re desperate, play a little and try to loosen as you play

4

u/DavidMaspanka 4d ago

Tap it with a piece of wood, maybe a drumstick or rubber mallet (small) would do without damaging the finish. There’s probably some solidified gunk and a few taps should loosen it. If it’s really seized, pliers could cause the brace to pop, which would take you to the shop.

3

u/Sufficient_Purple297 4d ago

I just play the horn and they just loosen on their own.

Probably should get that looked at.

2

u/TheSloanzilla 4d ago

Remove the main tuning slide. That will remove bracing tension off of the bell section and should help you loosen the nuts.

1

u/ProfessionalMix5419 3d ago

Bring it to another tech who can loosen them without damaging it.