Tech/maintenance Using a PDR dent removal system on a sax?

[LostCircuits]

Cool, very pricey

I know but I've gotten my money's worth out of my basic kit - I paid $500.- for the magnet and the dent balls + accessories like the door wedge (very handy) and a few drum skins. On some horns, they work great, on others not so much. For example my Conn bass, I can sit there for days and roll those dents and it won't make any difference. But I did a lot of work on some altos and tenors, especially bow dents and dings and the set worked fine. I need a new, possibly stronger magnet, now, though.

 

[PigSquealer]

I know but I've gotten my money's worth out of my basic kit - I paid $500.- for the magnet and the dent balls + accessories like the door wedge (very handy) and a few drum skins. On some horns, they work great, on others not so much. For example my Conn bass, I can sit there for days and roll those dents and it won't make any difference. But I did a lot of work on some altos and tenors, especially bow dents and dings and the set worked fine. I need a new, possibly stronger magnet, now, though.

$500 ? How many years ago was that ? When I started nine years ago the full MDR sets with 15 balls was $800. That’s now like $2500+.
Most basic sets are back ordered anyway. Buy MDRS Introductory Package Online at $523 - JL Smith & Co

Honestly this is a tool for people with mechanical experience and disciplined in safety. The work area needs to be prepared for use of magnets. A spontaneous, Oh I’ll just do a quick once over “here” and keep moving….nope ! The chances of being injured or damaging an instrument are very high !

 

[LostCircuits]

I think it was 7 years ago, something like that. I've also used it to "sanitize" my driveway after the garage roof repair. it found at least twice as many nails and screws as my magnetic roller 😛

But yes, one of the bigger risks is that if you put the dent ball inside the instrument and then lower the magnetic wand and don't watch out, the wand will slam into the instrument and make another dent. It's a really good idea to practice on a beater or whatever you want to call it - and watch a bunch of Youtube videos

 

[JayeNM]

I know but I've gotten my money's worth out of my basic kit - I paid $500.- for the magnet and the dent balls + accessories like the door wedge (very handy) and a few drum skins. On some horns, they work great, on others not so much. For example my Conn bass, I can sit there for days and roll those dents and it won't make any difference. But I did a lot of work on some altos and tenors, especially bow dents and dings and the set worked fine. I need a new, possibly stronger magnet, now, though.

The drum heads are to prevent scratching of exterior ?

$500 seems cheap indeed. That is what a used, basic set goes for on eFlay nowadays...and they do not pop up often...

 

[LostCircuits]

The drum heads are to prevent scratching of exterior ?

$500 seems cheap indeed. That is what a used, basic set goes for on eFlay nowadays...and they do not pop up often...

Yes, you use the drum head so that you don't scratch the lacquer. In all honesty, you will most likely anyway but it definitely helps.
Couple of tricks I found, like using old socks or paper towels to confine the position of the dent balls and then bringing down the magnet and pull the dent ball up like a mallet jumping against the dent. You learn on the go. And again, don't forget the rubber door stop.

On my 1898 Conn alto I had inside out dents in the bell where I literally had to push the dent back in and then roll it out and it came out very nice.

 

[PigSquealer]

Drum heads are Acetate or Mylar. Loosely a thick plastic film. I use 10mil Mylar. This is close to a Remo Weatherhead.
Spray the surface with pledge. Lay the film / Mylar / drumhead on surface. Place the magnet ontop. Then slowly introduce the ball underside.
Use the solid door wedge for extracting the ball. A tapered smooth separation.
If you try to just pull the magnet or ball away ( dead pull) you’ll install a dent from the direction of pulling each way.

 

[LostCircuits]

If you try to just pull the magnet or ball away ( dead pull) you’ll install a dent from the direction of pulling each way.

I never had that happen. I could see a small risk from pulling the magnet away and as a consequence "dropping the ball" but even that is very unlikely.