Tech/maintenance Frozen rollers

[AlonW]

The rollers are frozen on my pinky table. I noticed when I tried to oil the action and then the rollers. Does it matter?

 

[mizmar]

One kind of feels that needs a Latin, medical name.

Adhesive Rollertitis?

 

[Targa]

I don't think it will have any effect on the key movement only the ease with which you move from one to another.

 

[Woodpad]

There is music where rollers help but I can remember years that I didn't use them. Better to make them rol again before you need them. There are some threads on the subject.

 

[Ivan]

One kind of feels that needs a Latin, medical name.

Adhesive Rollertitis?

rigida cylindro

 

[skeller047]

It would bug me if they arent free. If you are handy with your horn, like you can take it apart and put it back together without breaking anything, take the keys off and soak the rollers and key ends in naptha (ronsonol lighter fluid for those of us living in California…). Or a stronger corrosion cracker, I like the CRC “Break ‘Er Loose” stuff. Though be careful with that as it might damage the roller itself, old horns often used celluloid rollers. Then unscrew the screw, clean everything thoroughly and put it back together with a small amount of oil. I like Music Medic’s Ultimax - heavy viscosity is perfect for rollers.

You have to be careful, those roller screws are often mangled because they get corroded and stuck. If you don’t want to face all that, get thee to a tech. Or just suffer when you play in B and F#…

 

[PigSquealer]

The rollers are frozen on my pinky table. I noticed when I tried to oil the action and then the rollers. Does it matter?

RH or LH ? If you didn’t notice until you went to try and oil them. Well, it doesn’t really matter. If you would like me to take a look at those. Send me an email. I will gladly help you.

Fwiw, i’ve restored many units over the years with this issue. I contact the owner and their wishes of working or not. There is a risk of cracking a pearl roller.
90% of the players responded.
“Leave it alone. This has never bothered me. “

Honestly, many technicians do not service the pinky rollers. Hence it’s not uncommon to find them rusted and not turning.

 

[SaxBoss]

I use the ones on my horn. It bugs me when they don't roll. Almost like a fidget spinner.

 

[DavidUK]

If they are MOP and they do crack or break apart, try following my thread here:

Need some pearl rollers - can I cut them?

o_O 3 out of 4 pearl rollers are broken on the NWI Conn. They were stuck fast so I unscrewed one, thinking it looked to have been glued in the past, and of course it fell apart. The screw was bloated with rust. Two of the remaining ones are stuck, one with a crack plainly showing it's been...

cafesaxophone.com

 

[Colin the Bear]

Just oil your pinky😉