Getting the bell off a Martin Mammoth

[Mary Ann]

I did not succeed in getting that into my van today. Forward facing bell is stuck on pretty tight. I managed to get the tuba in the wagon but not back out of the wagon and into the van. If you think of how big I am and how big it is and what I weigh and what it weighs and the fact that I am none too steady on my feet -- ten or even five years ago I could have safely done it, but now, nope. Left the tuba at her house in the wagon. If I could get the bell off reasonably easily then all would work, but otherwise I have to get younger male help.
I have no idea what to do with a stuck bell; I do not believe it is out of round, and the screw thingies loosen easily, but the bell itself does not yield to mild yanking. When working with other metal stuff like from vehicles, I have used penetrating oil etc, but don't know what is "typically" used on tubas. And it's not my job to fix it, just get it to the shop. If I could get it off, I wouldn't have to go trolling for a young male at band practice; my normal helpers are older than I am and not the best choice. Advice?

[bloke]

Tapping around smartly with a rawhide mallet will free up most bells that are inserted into collars, but they then need to be taken to someone who can do a good job of rounding both of the connecting parts... Those strikes don't need to occur over and over and over.

If you have the pushing power to re-round one or the other or both of those parts, calipers will reveal where the flaws are, though you might need something longer than the typical set.

Actually, a yardstick might might be a good enough measuring device.

[Mary Ann]

Thank you.
Too much for me especially in front of the very aged owner who is quite concerned that they not be damaged. I'll revert to fishing for a helper to manage it into the van. I just don't trust myself to lift and turn and lean over and set down gently all at the same time. If it were mine and I had to, I'd find a way like putting a dolly in the van and lowering the bow onto the dolly and then shoving, but since that's not the situation I'll just find some help. I don't want to stress an old lady with terminal cancer.

[bloke]

If your friend is funded somewhat, maybe a local repair shop would be willing to pick up that instrument, round both of those parts (so that they fit with each other easily) for your friend, and then deliver it back without charging a ton extra...(??)

For a repair guy gifted with an ogre shaped upper body, it's just a matter of measuring, mashing from the outside against a wooden bench at a certain spot or two, and pounding from the inside of the circle at another spot or two...

Knowing how sloppy the fit is from the factory on most of these connectors, even if an ungifted "tech" person manages to get the fitting halves each within a 16th of an inch of round, they should slide together pretty easily.

[Mary Ann]

Where it's going is that repair shop, to be made ready for sale, and then it will come to my house with the bell off, so I'll be able to handle it just fine; it's just that monster bell making it awkward, and once it goes on and off easily, problem solved. I'll find a willing someone at brass band tonight and have a great big tuba guy in mind who will be happy to do it and will know "where it is in space." I "could" do it but it would be in front of her and she is anxious. I've learned to go with the flow on this stuff.