Different player action manufacturers used different kinds of leathers
depending on the type of valve. For example, the inside valve on a
Standard Action (SA) seats on metal. This is usually a very smooth
leather. The outside of the SA valve seats to wood and this is a soft
suede leather. Some actions use a very thin leather such as pouch
leather in order to have the correct valve travel.
Then there is leather for the flap valves. In some cases I glue
leather to a strip of pump cloth for these valves. I used to go to
the Tandy leather store and pick the leather that fit my needs. I
have also gone to the wholesale shoe supply house and found leather.
I don't mind the colors anymore except on pumps. I prefer black
leather on the pumps. I don't cover all pumps in leather, only the
motorized pumps in coin pianos.
Don Teach, Shreveport Music Co
1610 E. Bert Kouns, Shreveport, LA 71105
|