Dent Removers for Instruments

• Large instruments are expensive to fix if the instrument must be taken completely apart. Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images

  In the course of a marching season, state competition or even the walk to rehearsal, flutes and brass instruments can easily get dinged. Because a musical instrument is a major investment of time and money, it is important restore your instrument to a playable, aesthetically pleasing condition. Most repair shops have several dent removal tools. Before attempting any method check with a professional and make sure your instrument is free of dirt and debris.

Dent Hammers

• The most straightforward dent removal tool is a dent hammer. However, over-hammering can weaken the metal. Most hammers are either rubber/rawhide mallets or stainless steel. They vary in size to allow for precision hits. Steel hammers can be used for large dents in saxophones, French horns and big brass. Mallets are best for straightening a bent rim from a drop. Tap lightly at the middle of the dent, working your way into stronger strokes.

Slide Hammer

• A slide hammer is a long tool used for taking dents out of saxophones, pulling slides and leveling tone holes. They come with many different extensions. For example, a hook and rope attachment will be very helpful in safely removing a gunked up and stuck slide on a trumpet, trombone or French horn. Because the rope has little give, a slide hammer allows you to pull evenly on the stuck slide. An L-shaped attachment can be lowered into a tone hole of many instruments to tap lightly around the edges, making an even hole and a tighter seal.

Barrel Dent Balls and Driver

• Dent balls are usually used on small brass instruments. They are smooth steel balls of varying sizes which, with the use of a flexible ball driver, push up dents. Rub the dent ball with petroleum jelly to avoid scratching, then roll the ball into the dent until it has opened enough to let the ball roll smoothly through. Move up one size at a time until the dent has almost flattened out. For finishing touches, insert a ball one size too large to go through, then use glancing blows with a rubber mallet to streamline the surface.

Dent Knocker

• Some dents can't be reached by slides or hammers. In that situation, your option is to completely disassemble the instrument, or use a solder-on dent knocker. Instead of working from the inside and pushing out, this tool actually attaches a long rod to the outside of the dent, then a slider weight pulls it up against a stop in a reverse hammer motion, pulling the dent close to its original height.

Mandrels and Rollers

• The mandrel is a tapered steel cylinder that can be used to burning the dent from a bell. Variations include rollers and irons. Through the use of a machine or by hand, the mandrel is rolled around dents, flattening and moving the metal back to its original shape.