Cut Bell Maintenance

[Samit2011]

Hey folks,

I recently purchased my first horn with a cut bell and I was wondering if there’s any steps I should take to make sure that the bell is able to screw on and off properly over time.

[tbonesullivan]

Maybe a bit of light tuning slide grease on the threads? Not too much, as it can have dust / dirt stick to it.

[Burgerbob]

I put bearing oil on my rings. Every once in a while wipe it all down and do it again

[JohnL]

My wife uses powdered graphite on the bell threads of her French horns.

[norbie2018]

Stick with graphite. You can use a standard #2 pencil and rub it on the threads but they also sell the powdered graphite.

[JohnL]

...they also sell the powdered graphite.

Handy stuff to have around the house. Works great for uncooperative locks.

[Gfunk]

Use a #2 pencil to trace the threads. Oil and grease will trap dirt and requires maintaining. If it starts to squeak, put in more pencil graphite. Don’t overtighten the threads, it can wear out the threads over time.

[Samit2011]

With the powdered graphite, do you put it on a rag/paper towel and rub it along the ridge?

[elmsandr]

With the powdered graphite, do you put it on a rag/paper towel and rub it along the ridge?

Often it comes in little tubes with a dropper bottle like tip. I just squeeze a little out just like oil. It just happens to be a dry lubricant not an oil.

Cheers,
Andy

[paysonmcc]

I have tried a few different ways with varying success. The most important part is to keep the threads clean. I clean mine at around 2 weeks. Max Thein recommended valve oil on the threads, and I've liked that method the best so far.

[Leanit]

My buddy went to put his screw-bell horn in the case for a trip and found it stuck. His big-shot horn player wife said, "You dumbass. Never put the bell on without lubing it first. We horn players to that every time we put it together."

[slidesix]

For threads of a metal on metal surface, i might try thicker key oil or linkage oil. But i think the optimal lube is probably powered graphite, like you might use on locks, lock hardware, or hinges.

Powered graphite is solid in hardware stores near keys section. It is often in an eye dropper bottle and meant to be dispensed straight from the squeezed, inverted bottle directly on what you lube. It is quite effective as a lube and lasts a long time. It is also temperature insensitive. So it works well in very cold weather.

[jjenkins]

You could also use a dry lube spray, which is what many cyclist use on their chains because it lubricates and greatly reduces friction, but doesn't attract dirt or dust. It's graphite or PTFE nanoparticles in aerosol.

[pfrancis]

In my opinion: graphite (dry) or nothing. If you are tearing it down after each use the threads will become smoother through use.

Unless leaving a cut bell assembled for extended periods (weeks/months) there is no good reason to lubricate (with something like grease). Just barely snug it when tightening and it will come apart every time.

Does anyone here grease the receiver nut? (@ the bell>slide connection) I sure don’t and mine has never gotten stuck…

[RJMason]

I’ve had multiple horns with detachable bells for over a decade now and I am in the camp of #2 pencil to trace the threads occasionally otherwise keep it dry. And until you have (or can quickly receive) a detachable bell case do not order a horn with one. I wouldn’t want it locked into place for months.

[Burgerbob]

My cut bells make awful, awful noises when being put together or taken apart unless they are lubed somehow.

[SwissTbone]

My cut bells make awful, awful noises when being put together or taken apart unless they are lubed somehow.

Also the Y-Fort? All the Y-Forts I had some far were pretty silent when putting together.

[Burgerbob]

Mine did some awful screams before I lubed it. Mine is also a bit damaged from a previous owner, though.

[Windmill]

As a mechanic, I'd say always lubricate. It works without but it will wear out quicker. As said above, a very thin layer of PTFE sounds perfect... Or just a little touch of tuning slide grease.

[BigBadandBass]

Personally I just take my pencil and trace the valleys of the threads, usually about once or twice a week. Never had any issues with it making noise or getting stuck and if i for some reason I use a my uncut case i leave the bell unscrewed ever so slightly so it doesn’t bind

[pfrancis]

I do the same on my cut bell in my standard trombone case, about an 1/8 turn loose.

Trombone community is new to this, horn players have been using pencil lead/dry lube for decades as standard. The real trouble with any of the “wet” lubricants is they may attract dirt/grime which can wear the threads unduly. Another point of concern on this is lubricant of any can inadvertently encourage over tightening causing the bell to stick.