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View Full Version : Here's a look at my line of skilled trade work...


pyro
08-10-2007, 10:32 AM
This is the bell section of a student-model trombone that has seen some better days. It has been dropped and creased, the bell rim is out of round, and there are several deep dents in the bell stem. The finish is pitted and badly corroded where the lacquer is worn through.

http://img504.imageshack.us/img504/4370/tb1pz5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-08-10

trashed...
http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5495/tb2qn7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-08-10

creased...
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/6394/tb3tx9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-08-10

Here, I'm rolling out the creases in the bell flare. I'm forcing the brass between the big iron and the roller, using both hands and rolling the bell side to side, "feeling" where the three surfaces meet. This is much more difficult than it seems, to smooth out the brass without distorting the shape.
http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/3699/tb4sw6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-08-10

Using a bigger roller to work out the creases near the bell flare.
http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/9819/tb5hb2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-08-10

Bell rolled straight, with bell stem dents remaining. These will be rolled out using a tapered steel mandrel and a concave roller.
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/9498/tb6uw6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-08-10

After removing remaining dents. http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/5818/tb7pv5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-08-10

After stripping, buffing in two stages, and lacquering. This relac job came out terrible looking, due to the high humidity levels and other complications. Hey, it's just a kid horn. :P
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/7200/tb8di5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-08-10

All done! http://img524.imageshack.us/img524/9402/tb9dp3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
Shot at 2007-08-10
The Big Al
08-10-2007, 10:37 AM
Pyro ,
I am impressed!:)
HiLift
08-10-2007, 12:14 PM
Cool!
How long did that take you?
pyro
08-10-2007, 12:26 PM
About 20 minutes to do the dent work, and another 20 minutes to buff, clean, and relac.
propguy
08-10-2007, 12:30 PM
You should do prop work...
j_martin
08-10-2007, 12:46 PM
You should do prop work...


Like he says, just a bigger hammer.:D
HiLift
08-10-2007, 12:55 PM
I'm sure the customer is extremely pleased with repairing rather than replacing!
NNT
08-10-2007, 12:55 PM
cool, any tips on how to get some slight road rash off a stainless grab rail?
Tony Brucato
08-10-2007, 01:56 PM
Nice work!
That would make for some wicked velocity stacks for my next intake!
pyro
08-10-2007, 02:51 PM
Bigger hammer? haha. I don't use metal dent hammers in my work. They are the devil, they mark everything up badly. I use a Delrin hammer for some jobs. The only hammering I did on this trombone was when I hammered the rim back straight before taking the dents out.

These instruments also sometimes need parts silver brazed, or soft-soldered. I have a collection of tricked out hand tools, many of which I made myself.

For that scuffed stainless grab rail, block sand the burrs smooth, work it down to 1000 grit, then use a multi-layered fabric buff wheel with some tripoli, then follow with chrome compound, that should clean it up nice, except for any deep scratches/nicks.
NNT
08-10-2007, 03:00 PM
you da manhttp://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif, regardless of what 1 bad says :D (totally joking man and thanks)
dwvaughn
08-10-2007, 08:42 PM
That is awsome work.shines like new no better than a new one.:) :)
CDave
08-10-2007, 09:09 PM
That is some real nice work there Pyro! You da man.
Maybe you could get a job at OCC and be on TV. :D
1BadAction
08-11-2007, 06:26 AM
Pretty cool Chad, nice craftsmanship. :D If i need my trumpet polished I know who to go to http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif


cool, any tips on how to get some slight road rash off a stainless grab rail?

dont be a dumbass and let the center console blow out of the back of your truck on the highway and you wouldnt need to worry about that. :eek: :D :D
Astro
08-11-2007, 06:52 AM
Nice work Chad! Approx. cost? I am asking cause I have been thinking of getting 2 spots fixed on my Stradivarius and getting replated where the valve pad has been.
Maureen M
08-11-2007, 08:52 AM
Nice work, interesting to see the before/after and the stages in between.
trashy
08-12-2007, 08:29 AM
About 20 minutes to do the dent work, and another 20 minutes to buff, clean, and relac.
Boy you work slow!:eek:

Just kidding. That's some fine craftsmanship right there. I wish I had that kind of skill.
trashy
08-12-2007, 08:30 AM
If i need my trumpet polished I know who to go to http://forums.screamandfly.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

So do I. Her name is...:D
Scott Gilmore
08-12-2007, 08:40 PM
Do you do KEGS ???? Scott :cool:
pyro
08-12-2007, 09:01 PM
Who cares if your keg is dented?

Now GO get me some Private Stock!
tripledude2
08-12-2007, 09:36 PM
Great work!!! Maybe a sideline could be repairing Buell airhorns?? Lots of collectors out there...they were used on boats, trains, trucks, cars, etc. Lots of dented ones out there. The downside is they're chrome.
bulldogdaddy
08-13-2007, 09:29 AM
being an old tuba player you realy have to appreciate the work one can do on the brass insturments.great job.
and nnt., was wondering how the hell you got road rash on a rubrail , but 1 bad summed it up:D
Frank Molé
08-13-2007, 04:42 PM
phast i NEED those:eek: ;) :D
pyro
08-13-2007, 05:40 PM
nice laces.
thumper
08-13-2007, 09:58 PM
Like what they said....
Remember to pass on the flame!!!!!!