[ Fritz Gellerman asked:

> Does anyone on the list have suggestions for freeing up tuning
> sliders and flute stoppers on an old band organ?

For stoppered wood pipes, we use tallow.  Apply generously to the
inside walls of the pipe, only in the area where the stopper usually
lies.  After rubbing tallow into the wood, use a scraper to remove the
excess.  Don't leave the pipe greasy; it only needs what tallow soaks
into the wood.  Don't go below the point where stopper usually lies --
you do not want the stopper to slip down too far!

If the tuning slides are in wood pipes, then you really shouldn't free
them up or you'll not be able to keep them in place without a screw or
wedge.  If the "tuning slides" are the tuning wire for reeds, then
proceed with caution.  You don't want to push the wire down too far,
to where it will catch the reed tongue.  If the tuning wire is not down
too far, you can tap it up to free it.  Then re-tune.  Again, you don't
want tuning devices to move too freely.

I hope this will be helpful.

Regards,
Robert Linnstaedt - The Organ Shoppe
Arlington, Texas