Re: Cable piano motor
By Bob Conant
In a message dated 96-01-20 00:57:03 EST, you write:
> To rewind the motor has been estimated at $300 my cost. One would think
> they could buy a new motor for less than that, however, I'm a bit concerned
> about the RPM's and the other ratings that I know very little about. I've
> heard rumors that the speed was specially set at 50 RPM's. I can't see any
> harm at slightly more speed, since 60 is the present standard. There is no
> specifications plate on the motor, just a plate that says Cable Piano Co.
> Does anyone know a model number, stock number or such for a good
> replacement motor for this instrument??
Most electric motors used in player pianos were ac motors turning 1150 rpm. Standard ac motors turn 1850 rpm. A few years ago, Player Piano Company in Wichita, KS, cataloged a new 1150 rpm motor. I don't know of any other source for one of these motors new. One possibility would be to advertise in the MBSI Bulletin or the AMICA magazine for a used motor of this type. You probably won't get a Cable motor so you will probably have to make new mounts for it. If you can get someone to rebuild the original motor for $300, you might consider going ahead with it. Motors are not cheap and you have the chance to restore an antique authentically for not much more that it will cost to find a new or replacement motor.
Regarding testing player piano components by lung power, I would like to add this caution to all that has been said: BE CAREFUL. If you inhale some dust of slivers of wood, it could cause serious medical problems. This is especially true anywhere around old lead tubing. This is commonly used between the tracker bar and the pneumatic stack. Old lead tubing will oxidize and produce a fine white powder. This is not always apparent on the outside of the tubing but the inside may be filled with the stuff. This is lead which is highly poisonous. If you inhale any quantity of this into your lungs you may be in for some very serious medical problems down the road. I do test pneumatics, valves and the like by mouth. I try to generate the suction in my mouth by cheek power and not open the flow down into my lungs. This will reduce the possibility of inhaling any solid material into the lungs. It's up to you but I would advise extreme care when using lung power to test your player mechanism.
Bob Conant
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(Message sent Sun 21 Jan 1996, 02:16:16 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
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