One subject I definitely agree on with Craig Brougher is the necessity
to inspect valve leather.  One little thing I want to mention is that
the leather might be so good that it does not need to be replaced.

While I do not rebuild pianos for a living, I have fixed a fair number
of them, and I notice that products of the Aeolian Company last longer
than everyone else.  One machine I own is an 88-note push-up Pianola,
which I believe dates from 1912.  Although all the pneumatics were
hardened, the valves look like they were made yesterday.

An even more remarkable instrument is my 1913 Steinway foot pumper
grand.  Not only were the valves perfect, the tubing and cloth were
still soft.  Although I have rebuilt the wind motor and some other
units, the stack is still playing perfectly!  I want to remind you that
these instruments are foot pumped, and leakage is much more noticeable
that electrically driven instruments.  If you find this incredible, so
do I!  If you're in New York City, call me at 718-520-1443 and I will
be happy to show you these instruments.

One final thing: I would like comments on a leather technique that I
started using quite a few years ago.  I was always disappointed with
the leathers I was buying for valve work.  One day, I was going through
a number of different leathers, and one had the most beautiful nap you
could ever want.  Unfortunately, it was so thin that it could not be
used.

I bought it anyhow, and when I got home, I glued the leather to another
piece of leather with PVC-E glue, and left the leather to dry between
two thick pieces of glass.  The next day, it was the nicest piece of
leather since Aeolian went out of business.  PVC glue never gets hard,
and the layer of glue between the leathers made it more airtight as
well.  Comments, anyone?

Randolph Herr