Hi all,  I am in need of a transmission from a Kimball model E or F
player piano in order to run tests on the replacement gear in the
transmission.  I would prefer getting a transmission that is no longer
needed or one that is missing the plastic gear.  I am more than willing
to buy the transmission.  However, if I can borrow one, I would gladly
return it after I have completed my tests and I will pay all shipping
costs involved.

Just so everyone knows, the tooling cost for making this gear will
exceed $600.  The cost per gear varies depending on the number of gears
that are manufactured.  Complicating matters, from my point of view,
is that fact that I have no real idea of how many of these gears might
be needed over the next ten years.  However, based on an estimated sale
rate of four gears per year, I could feasibly sell the gear for $85.00.

Lastly, if anyone has any thoughts on this matter, I'd love to hear
form you.  I am committed to getting this gear manufactured, and thus
far I've found that the least expensive way to get the gear made
involves injection molding.  If the gear is machined, the minimum
production cost per gear doubles.  So, the machined gear would cost a
minimum of about $125-$130, and it would be made out of brass instead
of Acetal -- although it appears that the original gear was made out
of ABS plastic using injection molding.

Musically,

John A Tuttle
Player-Care.com
john@player-care.com.geentroep [delete ".geentroep" to reply]