Kevin McElhone, England, asked: "Does anyone else have a 'spectacular
failure' to tell us about?"  Not a failure, but danger from reservoir
springs.

While working part time for a pipe organ company, I had to remove some
bottom boards under a huge wind chest.  To do this I had to crawl on my
belly under and over several large reservoirs.  The boss, who had years
of experience, had to check up on me and entered the same route.  As he
passed over one reservoir, he happened to knock a leaf spring out of
place.  It flew through the air and hit him in the face, knocking out
three of his front teeth!

Everyone should be very cautious of any springs that are either
internal or external on all reservoirs.  Before attempting to remove
old pneumatic cloth on old reservoirs, it is useful to temporarily nail
furring strips to the sides of a reservoir to hold it securely before
attempting to remove the springs.

Bruce Clark

 [ California law requires restraining cables inside the coil springs
 { for the swing-up garage door.  That prevents a hole being punched
 { through the roof (or worse) when it breaks!  -- Robbie