Valve re-fit, original or modern?

[tptguy]

I have posted this on the "other" site, but to reach more inputs...
Wondering about best choice for piston re-plate original copper or nickel?
Trumpet is a recent acquisition, mid 20's Holton with nickel casings.
G.

[Kehaulani]

My question would simply be "authenticity" or "function"? One doesn't necessarily cancel out the other, but if it does, then you have to set your priorities, which will answer your question.

[J. Jericho]

Copper's nice, unusual, and authentic, but there's an obvious reason why no one uses copper plate on valves today. Personally, I tolerate nickel plate, but I prefer Monel. I'll waive the usual $.02 fee for my comment this time.

[ROWUK]

There is NEVER a best or worst, just a juggling of compromise. As I play all of my instruments, they get the best "playing" maintenance. I don't care if some collector devalues anything - if I ever gave up an instrument, only a serious player would get it.

[Dale Proctor]

Copper will wear faster and corrodes much easier than nickel. For a horn I planned on playing, I’d go with nickel.

[Mike Ansberry]

If it has nickel casings and you nickel plate the valves, will that cause problems with the similar metals galling?

[J. Jericho]

@mike-ansberry said in Valve re-fit, original or modern?:

If it has nickel casings and you nickel plate the valves, will that cause problems with the similar metals galling?

Good question! Now that you mention it, copper could be the best answer if the kinds of stress that cause galling are involved. Proper lubrication should go a long way toward minimizing wear, regardless of choice of plating.

[Mike Ansberry]

I find it hard to believe that the casings are nickel. Nickel is maybe the most widely used material for plating the valves themselves.

[J. Jericho]

@mike-ansberry It would explain the use of copper plating the valves to mitigate any galling concerns. The reasoning could be that there wouild be little wear on the casings, and the valves could be inexpensively replated as necessary.

[tptguy]

O ye of little faith.
Here is a shot of the 3rd valve casing on a similar horn, a few months older, same model though, unless it's carbon steel or stainless, that would be nickel there
Thinking of staying with copper, but re fit many months away so time to re think that

[Jolter]

@tptguy Did you go ahead with this yet?

That's really interesting, to see bright plating on the inside of the valve casing. I would have expected them to use nickel silver for the bottom half of the casing, but if you're right and it's instead plated, I imagine it complicates the manufacture quite a bit.

[tptguy]

@jolter I did end up going for nickel plating over the bronze valves.
The casings also turned out to be nickel (German silver) and could possibly have slightly different alloy composition than the valve replate, but I can't be shure.
So far, I have not experienced any problems with valve action or unusual wear on the valves.
I don't play it all the time, only in rotation with other vintage horns.

G.