I’ve been shamefully neglecting my Elfsong Coppertone. I wanted a C whistle today, and went to take the head off the D tube to put it on the C and…oy. It’s well and truly stuck. Any suggestions on how to get it loose, short of breaking out the WD-40? (and if I do take WD-40 to it, would that be likely to damage it?).
Redwolf
Could you run hot water over just the head to see if it would expand just a bit?
Try brass instrument valve oil first; though I have used wd-40 with good results and no negative problems except the smell. Just keep gently twisting back and forth till it releases. Use some rubber coated gloves to grip both pieces for mechanical advantage.
I like both suggestions…WD-40 is wonderful stuff, and so is heating the female end and cooling the male end at the same time…apply a little oil, use the nice rubbery shelf liners to grab one end and have someone else do the other…twist and shout…
All else fails, call the maker…Sandy Jasper if I recall. . .
Good luck and may the force be with you!
Got it! In the end, all it took was a husband with strong hands!
Redwolf
Someone with more technical expertise than I have might well know better, but I’ve been told that WD-40 is a very dangerous friend. I used to use it on locks and just about every mechanical joint. I have been told that it is heavily abrasive and works so well because it wears away everything. Your locks and runners will work beautifully until they fall apart years before their time. There is a charcoal substitute that works very well for some purposes and doesn’t damage the machinery.
Wombat, there is nothing abrasive in WD40, but the bad thing about it is that it is very thin and it eventually evaporates. It’s fine for cleaning heavy oil or grease off of stuff, but if you spray it into a lock it will wash off the lube that was there and leave nothing so the metal-on-metal causes accelerated wear. The carbon (not charcoal) stuff is graphite and it’s a great lube especially if you don’t want any grease or oil that can hold dust and grit, but it is very messy. WD40 won’t hurt a joint that has to come apart, and frankly, I like the smell. In fact, I think someone should market a men’s cologne with that distinctive macho shop aroma.
Roger
That usually helps. I am used to being the son with strong hands.