TromboneChat

I have an Edwards T-350, which, after a bunch of cleaning and not being an idiot, plays nicely.

I was maintaining the axial valve, and noticed a blob of solder where the unengaged brass pipe is attached to the male (bottom) leg that the main tuning slide goes on to.

The blob might be all of 3 mm high and maybe 4 mm wide, and if I were to guess as the the blockage in the pipe, no more 5%.

Any reason to care?

Probably not the end of the world, but also straightforward for a tech to remove. Probably best if you don't go messing around in there with triangular scrapers yourself - it's easy to do if you have a feel for the tools, but easier to gouge something pretty badly if you don't.

JTeagarden wrote: Sat Jul 19, 2025 11:19 am I have an Edwards T-350, which, after a bunch of cleaning and not being an idiot, plays nicely.
I was maintaining the axial valve, and noticed a blob of solder where the unengaged brass pipe is attached to the male (bottom) leg that the main tuning slide goes on to.
The blob might be all of 3 mm high and maybe 4 mm wide, and if I were to guess as the the blockage in the pipe, no more 5%.
Any reason to care?

I have found that even a tiny blob like this can affect the response.

I find this ALL the time on Bach 42BOs!!

Bach always used too much solder (except when they forgot to solder a joint altogether).

Ok, seems easy enough for a brass tech to remove without much effort, I have a decent general feel for tools, but am also aware of the tendency to screw things up the first time you do something!

I assume they'll go in with a round metal file through the back, and file it down?

Now that you can see it, would you remove it?

If I were to work on it, I’d simply remove the leg. Clean up excess and reinstall.

Which requires resoldering? And would you do it in the first place, given what you see?

The cause of that blob is the joints not fitting together BEFORE soldering!

I either run a straight reamer into the pipe, or as mentioned, disassemble & refit & resolder correctly.

And yes, Mr.Teagarden, I would address this.


Eric

Yes!
This definitely makes a difference, from personal experience!
I would absolutely recommend getting it taken care of.

Bonearzt wrote: Sun Jul 20, 2025 5:21 pm The cause of that blob is the joints not fitting together BEFORE soldering!

I either run a straight reamer into the pipe, or as mentioned, disassemble & refit & resolder correctly.

And yes, Mr.Teagarden, I would address this.


Eric

Eric,

Sent you a pm in this regard.

Eric Edwards removed the solder blobs, and generally de-stressed the horn, just got it back today, it slots much better, and is more responsive as well, very much worth the reasonable price he charged!

It's gone from a horn you think should be good to one that actually is.

JTeagarden wrote: Fri Oct 24, 2025 11:00 am Eric Edwards removed the solder blobs, and generally de-stressed the horn, just got it back today, it slots much better, and is more responsive as well, very much worth the reasonable price he charged!

It's gone from a horn you think should be good to one that actually is.

Thank you Sir!

Played it a lot more today, it’s spectacular!