Replacing Lead Tubing
By Marc Finlen
Good Day to All, Recently I told you of my pruchase of a Marshall & Wendell Upright console player piano. I have the piano part at least functionally to the point of now turning my attention to the player stack. The tubing in the back is lead and is cracked in various places and on various tubes (naturally!!).
My questions to the group are: Is there any reason why I can not use rubber tubing to replace the lead tubing? I plan on replacing *all* the lead tubing. The Player Piano catalog has some really good tips on tubing removal. If I take their advice and go with the reducing nipples (7/32" to 5/32") how do I seat the nipples? Is hot glue appropriate or necessary? Will I still need to seal the top board that the tubing goes into, or the tracker bar for that matter? If I do I assume I should use thick shellac?
FYI for those following my saga. The pneumatics on the stack are rotted out in the corners, so I will be repairing them at a later date. The secondary pouches, and primary valves are good condition. I will have some work to do on the secondary vales. Once again age and poor care have crippled what I am sure at some point was (and hopefully will be again!) a fine piece of craftsmanship. Thanks for all the help and advice.
Marc Finlen
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(Message sent Sat 29 Mar 1997, 22:19:31 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.) |
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