Ok I will be the first to admit that pvc-e is not the easiest stuff to
remove from wood. Player Piano Company sells "phenoseal" for this
purpose. All phenoseal is thinned modge-podge and that can be bought
at any craft shop.

I certainly don't "gob" this glue around in the suction chamber. I will
thin it down and apply a very thin coat with the spray gun, with areas
that will be covered etc masked off.  When it dries you will hardly
notice it..

One good thing about any type of plastic glue is that it is flexible
and will stay put during many seasonal changes.  Shellac will crack and
pull away under such conditions.

One of my customers has a Baldwin I rebuilt.  This piano has been going
for 15 years and is still as airtight as the day I rebuilt it. The
sealer has not shown any signs of pulling away.  I'm proud to say its
one of the most airtight players around.  You may think I'm making this
up, but the suction box had to be slowed down to a craw, and you can hardly
hear it run.

I can understand Jon Page's concern. This is NOT a attempt to touch off
an argument.  But I didn't want him to get the idea that I gob glue
around in valve chests. Just a slight coat of this is all you need.

The only problem with any type of rebuilding method is you can't see
what your actions will do thirty years hence. That is certainly in the
back of the mind of every good rebuilder. My reasoning for this is
based on the fact that
    1) wood is porus, and
    2) pvc-e is very flexable and will not crack & flake like shellac.

All of this will depend of how well this glue ages. I'm certainly open
to changing my mind. I would NEVER do anything to a player action that
would harm it.

As with anything it can be overdone. If anyone has had experience whith
this glue aging I would like to hear from them.

There is much passion and pride in rebuliding these music machines. And
its not hard at all to spark a argument between rebuilders.  This is
good and bad The good part is it forces us to think. The bad part is
that you can loose friends Quickly. But perhaps the worst part is
Neither rebuilder is willing to give a inch. All this will do is leave
the art in a stigma and will confuse and discourage the beginners.

                                                              Andy T
                                                              mo.