Today started the last week of brass class.  Greg gave us an overview about using the magnetic dent removal system.  This week we are also going to have a lecture on using the dent machine.  So, the class is winding down.  My french horn is turned in, and my trombone has come a long ways.  Check out those pages for more pictures!

Today I also did some cosmetic work on a trumpet for extra credit.  The trumpet is silver plated, and the mouth-pipe had been replaced.  There were parts where the plating had been buffed away, so I re-buffed those areas and spot-plated the trumpet.

Brass class is flying by.  I am working on a french horn and a trombone right now.  There are separate pages for each, so be sure to look at those!  Things I have been learning include porting and stringing rotary valves, aligning trombone hand-slides, and taking dents out of trombone hand-slides.
I learned an important lesson with Greg (my instructor)  today.  The brace that goes from the Trombone bell to the gooseneck isn't always a solid piece.  It can be hollow, and if you chuck it in a soft jaw vise, you can crush it.  To fix it, we have to cut the tube, restore the area, and then solder it with a ferrule back on.  Since it was Greg's idea, he is going to help me fix it.

I finished the victor today!!!  We got the second slide out yesterday afternoon.  I put it in a snow bank outside the lab for about half an hour.  Then I brought it inside and heated and pulled.  It finally came off!!  I gave it a good polishing, some grease, and a play test.  It is ready to go!!