I’m starting to get interested in instrument repair. Right now just looking to keep from sending small repairs to the shop that would take me 10 minutes but a week to get back from the shop. I’ve gotten lots of practicing adjusting and leveling keys and have started learning to solder on brass instruments.
What tools would you consider essential for quick repairs?
What I have so far: Small screw drivers Torch and Solder Mouthpiece Mandrill Mouthpiece pulled Pad Slick Raw Hide Hammer Small Plastic Hammer
Re: Repair Tools
Posted by Froghorn on 2/22/2021, 12:01 pm, in reply to "Repair Tools"
Several great suggestions, so far. Check out Ferree repair kits. They have several, starting with a basic kit that will have tools, corks, pads, etc. that can be handy for emergencies and small jobs.
Re: Repair Tools
Posted by Amateur repairer on 2/21/2021, 1:38 pm, in reply to "Repair Tools"
Spring hook (you can use a crochet hook, but a real spring hook is more useful) Penetrating oil Steel wool (for cleaning nasty slides and valves) Rotor string I pull a lot of stuck slides. You can get most of that done with penetrating oil, a torch, and a rawhide hammer. A slide hammer (not your rawhide hammer - a slide hammer is weight that slides along a hook) is useful, and a rag or something else to yank on the slide with. Before you re-solder a brace or a joint, you need something to hold the parts in place. Ideally that would be a wooden mandrel (a table leg from Home Depot can do in a pinch) held in a bench vise. If that's not possible, you can rig something up with zip ties. Slide pulling pliers are really useful. They grip around the slide ferrule, and then you tap with your hammer. This allows you to use some force on the slide without crushing the tube.
For woodwinds, being able to replace corks under keys, on clarinet tenons, and saxophone necks can be very useful. You need a supply of cork (good stuff, not corkboard quality stuff), sharp razor blades, contact cement, and some fine grain sandpaper or emery cloth. Most of this you can get at Michael's or a similar hobby store.
A leak light is also very useful. Don't get the cheap rope light junk, get a good one.
Past this level you start getting into really expensive dent tools...that's a whole other issue.
Re: Repair Tools
Posted by Very Retired on 2/21/2021, 10:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Repair Tools"
For the steel wool do not use a brillo pad! AAAA steel wool can be purchased at Home Depot.
Just a thought ...
Re: Repair Tools
Posted by Make sure... on 2/20/2021, 10:42 am, in reply to "Repair Tools"
you are using the correct kind of solder. Not sure that solder you use for plumbing from Home Depot/Lowes is the kind for brass instruments. Check with a repair technician
Re: Repair Tools
Posted by True on 2/21/2021, 8:22 am, in reply to "Re: Repair Tools"
Absolutely good advice. The solder used on brass instruments (and saxophones) is known as cold solder. The typical hot solder used with a hot soldering gun of which most of us are familiar cannot be used on brass instruments.
Re: Repair Tools
Posted by Tools available on 2/20/2021, 5:20 pm, in reply to "Re: Repair Tools"
I have a full, extensive set of repair tools and books up for sale. (I teach orchestra now). If interested, email wpeart56@gmail.com.
