Cleaning rod and cloth wedged in inner slide!

boshTHEbutcher · by **boshTHEbutcher** » 2019-07-17 6:22 a.m.

I was cleaning the trombone and whilst using the cleaning rod it became wedged in the inner slide, will not move at all. Suggestions??

BGuttman · by **BGuttman** » 2019-07-17 9:20 a.m.

You aren't supposed to be using the cleaning rod in the inner slide. Secondly, you should be using a long enough piece of cloth so you can pull it back out.

That said, have you tried twisting the rod to release the cloth?

If you were using a sheath, you may need to fish it out using a stick with a coarse screw (like a wood screw or sheet metal screw) mounted on the end so that the threads are pointed out. If you don't have such a tool, a Tech is your next bet.

tbonesullivan · by **tbonesullivan** » 2019-07-17 9:23 a.m.

Can you push it further in at all, or is it totally immobilized? Is this on the mouthpiece side, or the tenon side?

Usually when using a rod and cloth, you hold the end of the cloth in your hand, to prevent it from bunching up inside the slide.

Also, as stated before, the cleaning rod and cloth are really for the outer side. A nice plastic bore brush would be much better for the inner slide. Or get a set of brass-savr brushes.

Bonearzt · by **Bonearzt** » 2019-07-17 10:01 a.m.

Don't mess with it and take it to a tech.

baileyman · by **baileyman** » 2019-07-17 8:20 p.m.

Could be stuck in fragile leadpipe.

mrdeacon · by **mrdeacon** » 2019-07-17 9:41 p.m.

What did you have on the rod? Cheese cloth? Paper towel? Rag?

timothy42b · by **timothy42b** » 2019-07-18 7:53 a.m.

[quote="BGuttman"]You aren't supposed to be using the cleaning rod in the inner slide. Secondly, you should be using a long enough piece of cloth so you can pull it back out.
[/quote]

Even using a snake I keep the inner slide inside the outer when cleaning it. I've used a rod once, very very carefully, and I still misaligned the inner slide and needed a repair.

I would take it to a tech at this point. Any force on the inner slide is going to bend it somewhere, and that's not so hard for a good tech to realign but it's impossible for most of us mortals.

bigbandbone · by **bigbandbone** » 2019-07-18 2:49 p.m.

Believe it or not, this is a scary situation. After 40+ years repairing band instruments it's one of just a few repair jobs I dreaded. I've seen slides ruined even by other repairman trying to resolve situations like this. Even worse than this is a swab stuck in an oboe upper joint, but that's a discussion for a different forum! Without having it right here in front of me I dare not offer advice or techniques that might ruin the horn if done incorrectly. Good luck!

bbocaner · by **bbocaner** » 2019-07-18 3:58 p.m.

cleaning rod isn't for the inners. have you tried cutting the handle off the cleaning rod and pushing it all the way through?

greenbean · by **greenbean** » 2019-07-18 5:01 p.m.

No more pushing/pulling! Take to a good repairman. Get it straightened out and then don't worry about it - lesson learned.

CharlieB · by **CharlieB** » 2019-07-18 6:01 p.m.

Personal Message sent to boshTHEbutcher

rmb796 · by **rmb796** » 2019-07-24 10:11 p.m.

I've used a cleaning rod and small patchs of old T Shirts to clean my inner slides for over 50 years. Never had a problem. I always hold the slide about in the middle when a run a patch through.

Best to have a tech take it out and try and watch how he does it LOL.

SaigonSlide · by **SaigonSlide** » 2019-07-25 1:33 a.m.

Sometimes water will loosen things and u can push it through.

bigbandbone · by **bigbandbone** » 2019-07-25 6:32 a.m.

Did you ever get it out? Did you take it to a repair shop or do it yourself? Inquiring minds want to know!

mmitchell · by **mmitchell** » 2019-07-26 11:19 a.m.

[quote="Bonearzt"]Don't mess with it and take it to a tech.[/quote]

AGREE!!!!

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Cleaning rod and cloth wedged in inner slide!