Saxophones Vito models and parts

[qualitybandrepair]

Possibly the pin shaft fitting that hole has gone missing? If you temporarily remove the other key with the black plastic pivot, may reveal this.

Nah, I disassembled the other one and the pin in it is part of the key lever, they are not separate parts. That's the confusing bit

 

[qualitybandrepair]

probably a bit of O1 rod pressed in. Could be threaded in too.

That's what I assumed at first. I can't find any evidence of a seam or even a solder joint between the one I do have. Its very strange. I'll post more pictures tomorrow

 

[Stephen Howard]

Honestly the "not made of metal" part is what I hate. They can Crack and warp easier, get lost easier, and as a tech i can't just bend em to fix em. I have to try and buy a replacement part, which is...impossible basically.

I think I've only ever seen a cracked one (on a Yamaha), and that was because of impact damage. I've never lost one - but if I did I have about half a dozen spares. And if I didn't have any spares I'd bung a bit of Delrin in the lathe and knock up a new one.

 

[PigSquealer]

I'd bung a bit of Delrin in the lathe and knock up a new one.

Aka, nylon. Yeah..

 

[turf3]

No wait, the side C is the one that DOES have the black plastic. The b flat has this hole instead of a rod and the black plastic this is either lost or never existed. Either way some piece is missing

I have it in a billion pieces right now, so I forget which is which lol

Looks like there is supposed to be a pin that fits into a hole in the key and a hole in the plastic block. Probably a light press fit into the key and of course a slip fit in the block. Get a piece of drill rod of appropriate diameter, clean the hole thoroughly, and install it to the key with low strength Loctite and bob's your uncle, I believe.

 

[turf3]

Aka, nylon. Yeah..

Delrin is not nylon.

However, either would be suitable.

 

[qualitybandrepair]

Looks like there is supposed to be a pin that fits into a hole in the key and a hole in the plastic block. Probably a light press fit into the key and of course a slip fit in the block. Get a piece of drill rod of appropriate diameter, clean the hole thoroughly, and install it to the key with low strength Loctite and bob's your uncle, I believe.

Yeah, if i had the plastic bit I would. But i don't even HAVE the little plastic bit. I got a key from Jupiter/KHS that is very nearly the same I'm going to cut down to the correct size. I dont like the plastic mechanism anyway.

 

[ghostler]

Delrin is not nylon.

Delrin is a superior product to use in this application. I would understand why @Stephen Howard would choose this material as a replacement.

I have Cox brand model aeroplane product engines of 0.049 cubic inch displacement (0.08 cc) from the 1960's with Dupont Delrin backs, which provide the carburation and mounting for ready-to-fly scale flying models. The backs after all these years are still crack free and function as intended. Nylon would not be able to put up with this type heat and aging.

Of course on a saxophone it would not be exposed to the heat extremes of an internal combustion engine, but its aging characteristics without cracking would be its forte for a long lasting part.

 

[Stephen Howard]

Delrin is a superior product to use in this application. I would understand why @Stephen Howard would choose this material as a replacement.

I find that Delrin (acetyl) turns better than nylon - but doesn't take glueing as well as other plastics.

 

[ghostler]

I find that Delrin (acetyl) turns better than nylon - but doesn't take glueing as well as other plastics.

It is rather slick stuff IMO, which lends its use well in this key hinging application.

Regarding nylon, to retain its health from cracking, one manufacturer of nylon model plane propellers most prolific in the 1960's to 1970's had instructions to boil the props before use and periodically to rejuvenate its hydration. One rejected use of old stock nylon props because they had a tendency without warning to throw a blade. The hammering impulse of a model engine's internal combustion cycle could further weaken the micro-cracks in the nylon.

That manufacturer discontinued nylon prop production in the early 1990's due to liabilities with using nylon. I used them because I could buy several Top Flite props for the price of wood or another plastic. Blades were notoriously out of balance, so I'd sand the back side of the heavier blade until it balanced.

Its beauty was that it could take repeated ground strikes without breaking if flown off a grassed field. Other props would shatter upon strike.

So, it could be expected as the plastic ages, it could fail in sax usage once sufficiently aged, crack and split. Delrin makes a lasting repair in this sax application, IMO.