Cracked mini pBone tenon

timothy42b · Post by **timothy42b** » Sun Mar 10, 2019 2:36 pm

Putting my mini pBone away this morning (I used it for the warmup sessions at ATW) I noticed the end of the tenon was cracked.

The tenon is actually two pieces, and reversed from a normal trombone: the bell part inserts into the slide part. The tenon is thin red plastic with what appears to be an O-ring glued to the end, and there is a thicker black plastic part that slides over the end and then inserts into the outer slide. That overlay part was loose and slides off.

Has anyone else dealt with that? I superglued the cracked part, but it doesn't look like it will hold long. I could epoxy the outer piece on top, but then I wonder if there's some reason to have it removable. I have a vague memory of someone mentioning this back on the old forum.

timothy42b · Post by **timothy42b** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 7:08 am

Never mind. The outer piece was cracked too. I filled the gap between them with JBWeld, we'll see how it lasts. There's a lot of stress on that friction joint.

minemax03 · Post by **minemax03** » Mon Mar 11, 2019 10:44 am

I know someone that has dealt with this on their pbone, don't own one personally though.

LeoInFL · Post by **LeoInFL** » Tue Mar 12, 2019 6:42 pm

Try Lazer Bond - the epoxy that cures with the included UV 'flashlight'. That stuff is amazing and really works!

Oslide · Post by **Oslide** » Tue Mar 12, 2019 8:41 pm

According to Thomann the pBone is made from ABS plastic (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), for which
dichloromethane (DCM, methylene chloride) works as glue.
BGuttman will know much better than I...

bigbandbone · Post by **bigbandbone** » Wed Mar 13, 2019 6:33 pm

NEVER MAKE A TROMBONE OUT OF PLASTIC! Just my humble opinion.

Redthunder · Post by **Redthunder** » Fri Mar 15, 2019 12:42 pm

bigbandbone wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2019 6:33 pm NEVER MAKE A TROMBONE OUT OF PLASTIC! Just my humble opinion.

You're right. Trying to create new and accessible innovations to reinvigorate interest in what we do amongst youth and the general public is a terrible idea. Nevermind that the pBone has put instruments in the hands of individuals that would have never have had access or interest in them otherwise.

If nothing else, you can always count on the pBone hate to keep coming.

dershem · Post by **dershem** » Fri Mar 15, 2019 6:35 pm

For the outer, duck tape works.

byronbloda · Post by **byronbloda** » Fri May 17, 2019 10:55 am

well I say use it as a way to practice fixing the material, but in the end it will probably be cheaper and come out looking better just getting another one.

harrisonreed · Post by **harrisonreed** » Fri May 17, 2019 11:24 am

I think they sound good, but they're expendable. If it breaks, probably time to bet a new one. If only the slides were smoother

timothy42b · Post by **timothy42b** » Fri May 17, 2019 6:36 pm

harrisonreed wrote: ↑Fri May 17, 2019 11:24 am I think they sound good, but they're expendable. If it breaks, probably time to bet a new one. If only the slides were smoother

Yes. I can make it sound okay, but I can't get past that sticky slide.

ssking2b · Post by **ssking2b** » Sun May 26, 2019 2:53 pm

I've had several parts on my pBone come unglued, even the bottom inner slide tube! Superglue has worked every time. Tim, bring that pBone to me and I can make the slide work better. I did it for Barry and Bam Bam and they were quite pleased.

Oslide · Post by **Oslide** » Sun May 26, 2019 4:56 pm

Would you be so kind to mention how you achieved that?
Surely I'm not the only one who'd love to learn something.
Thank you!

timothy42b · Post by **timothy42b** » Sun May 26, 2019 6:46 pm

Philip,
Thanks for the offer, I'll bring it next time. I tried what you suggested with car wax and it helped the regular pBones a lot but didn't do much for the mini.

Oslide,
Philip really does make a pBone work. He'll probably chime in but if I remember a lot had to do with keeping the stockings from corroding and the slide dry.