I missed a couple of days of MMD and noticed the stink over "purists."
I noticed that the original post that gave short shrift to "US
Experienced purists" was about a great inexpensive artificial Chamois.
Well real chamois skin is pumped full of chemicals and is way way too
porous to use as gasket.  I will stick to my Coroprene. or the
Cork/neoprene composite that we have been using for several decades,
now.  It is now approximately $10.00 for 9 square feet if you know
where to get it--much cheaper than this "wonderful" new stuff.  It
lasts well as I have never seen it fail for over thirty years of my
use of it.  The main substance is cork which, by itself, can seep, but
Coroprene fills the airs paces with neoprene.  The only improvement on
that might be the use of natural gum rubber instead of neoprene.

I appreciate all the guys who shared their experiences with the novice
who just found the next great new stuff to put into a player piano.
I agree wholeheartedly with them.  I have had the same sad experiences.
Often wishing I could perform a gelding of the former "technician" with
perhaps a dull file.  But understand where he is coming from.  Since
there is presently no school to go to for this knowledge, admit it, we
have all been there.  When beginning we tried all those horrid
substances like Perflex.  (Durrell said we would soon not be able to
get pouch leather in the future so you MUST use this stuff)  We soon
learned what bad judgement that was.  I suggest to the novices on this
list, If it is not a TRIED AND TRUE substance, supply, technique, then
there is probably a reason it is not used in player pianos.  One of us
can tell you that reason more than likely, JUST ASK.

D. L. Bullock  Piano World St. Louis