I have recently bought a Benge 190F from eBay, and the description says that the stops were missing from the instrument.
I have no knowledge on instrument repair, and would like to know what parts I would be needing and how to repair the instrument. I have looked on YouTube and have not found what I am looking for.
I have not acquired the instrument yet as it has shipped today, but I want to get some help prior so I know what I am getting myself into.
Benge 190F Valve Repair
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- BGuttman
- Posts: 6393
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Re: Benge 190F Valve Repair
The valve stops are rubber cylinders put in a pair of recesses on the stop plate. You don't need to do any disassembly to put them in. The rubber, usually Neoprene, comes as a rope that you slice pieces off. Usually ¼" (6 mm) diameter.
HOWEVER
If you really want the valve to play properly you need to trim these stops (usually with a single edge razor blade) so that the ports inside the valve line up properly at either end of travel. This requires a bit of skill. A good tech will have a bore camera to examine the position of the rotor and will trim the stops so that the valve ports align properly. If you try to do this yourself you may go through a few sets until everything is right.
Alternatively, there are "witness marks" that are supposed to show when the valve ports are properly aligned. Sometimes these can be off, and if the valve was disassembled and reassembled improperly they can be useless. I've trimmed bumpers to the witness marks and had good success, but no guarantee that you will also.
HOWEVER
If you really want the valve to play properly you need to trim these stops (usually with a single edge razor blade) so that the ports inside the valve line up properly at either end of travel. This requires a bit of skill. A good tech will have a bore camera to examine the position of the rotor and will trim the stops so that the valve ports align properly. If you try to do this yourself you may go through a few sets until everything is right.
Alternatively, there are "witness marks" that are supposed to show when the valve ports are properly aligned. Sometimes these can be off, and if the valve was disassembled and reassembled improperly they can be useless. I've trimmed bumpers to the witness marks and had good success, but no guarantee that you will also.
Bruce Guttman
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
Merrimack Valley Philharmonic Orchestra
"Almost Professional"
- ithinknot
- Posts: 1111
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Re: Benge 190F Valve Repair
If you're dealing with an instrument that has missing parts, realistically it's going to need chem cleaning and various other things doing, all of which I'm guessing might be new to you. Nothing ever has only one thing wrong with it.
Aligning valves isn't terribly difficult in the great scheme of things, but this might not be the moment. Have it professionally serviced first so that you know what you're aiming for in any future maintenance or parts replacement.
Aligning valves isn't terribly difficult in the great scheme of things, but this might not be the moment. Have it professionally serviced first so that you know what you're aiming for in any future maintenance or parts replacement.
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Re: Benge 190F Valve Repair
Thank you guys!
I will contact my local tech and see if he has the chemicals for a cleaning.
I will contact my local tech and see if he has the chemicals for a cleaning.
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Re: Benge 190F Valve Repair
On ebay, if you look up texas-horn-trader and then Benge 165 he should have them. I'm almost certain the valve is the same for the 190F and 165F. Worth a shot...
- JohnL
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Re: Benge 190F Valve Repair
This one?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/305475823233
Yeah, the stop plate is missing. Shouldn't be too hard for a tech to find a replacement. I suspect that's the same valve Conn-Selmer is still using.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/305475823233
Yeah, the stop plate is missing. Shouldn't be too hard for a tech to find a replacement. I suspect that's the same valve Conn-Selmer is still using.
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Re: Benge 190F Valve Repair
I saw that horn. As JohnL has stated, it was a missing stop plate. The parts (stop plate and stop plate screws) are the same for a King 4B and can be easily ordered by most techs.
Brian D. Hinkley - Player, Teacher, Technician and Trombone Enthusiast