For years now I have been using a neoprene-based contact cement made by
Formica. It is their product number 140.
Over 40 years ago I corresponded with an engineer at Formica and told
him what I was planing to do. I still have his original letter
assuring me that Formica 140 brushable contact cement would be ideal
for pneumatic work in player-piano rebuilding. I have never had a bond
failure with this product.
When an inner flap-valve spring wire broke and it was the type of
exhauster where the inner flap could only be reached by removing the
fabric covering, I pulled the covering off one side, repaired the
spring, recoated the removed cloth, and put it back together. It is
still working fine today.
Since organic-based contact cement barely penetrates the gluing
surface, it is easy to sand off, if the need should arise. As far as
PVC-E is concerned, I use it only to cover striker pneumatics and other
small devices. I have given up on all the pneumatic cloth being made
today and am using polyurethane-coated nylon, sold by Schaff and
Spencer Chase. It takes a little more effort and time to cover
pneumatics with this material, but it will outlast anything else and is
absolutely air-tight!
I know that this opinion will probably get me in trouble with the
purists, but I believe in giving the customer the longest-lasting job
possible.
Nathan Woodhull
S-k Piano,
Lima, Ohio
|