Hello, Steve. You and others have commented on this subject, so I
thought I'd give my view. I replaced the lead tubing in my Autopiano
action. I replaced it only because it had corroded substantially, and
when I blew out the tubing from the inside of the action, I got much
lead-oxide powder from the tracker bar end, and the many pin-holes in
the tubes became apparent.
I replaced the tubing with neoprene, using the brass adapter nipples
formerly available from Player Piano Co. The tubing was sealed at the
tracker bar end, and also at the action end, using burnt shellac. I
sealed the adapters in the action in the same way.
I wouldn't have replaced the tubing had it been in good shape, and the
piano has functioned without a rebuild, since then. Your results may
vary.
Bob Loesch
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