In my opinion, silicone sealer or bathtub caulk should _never_ be
used in mechanical music instruments.  I have had the experience
of restoring a one-of-a-kind Dutch Street Organ where a previous
restoration consisted of smearing silicon sealer over every cracked
surface, using it for glue, and rubbing it into every loose pipe
joint.

First, silicone sealer does not appear to permanently adhere to
wood, especially if it is dusty, dirty, or shellacked.  Second, it
contaminates bare wood enough that it is impossible to ever re-glue.

Countless hours were spent sawing apart cracks that could have been
fixed by simply injecting hot glue and clamping.  Many new parts
had to be made to replace originals that were ruined by silicone.
It was obvious that this organ never played a single note after the
"RTV Restoration."

I'll attach one photo of a part that had to be re-made.  The top of
this bass pipe had fallen off.  The only thing left holding the four
pieces together were the office staples visible in the photo.

Mike Schoeppner
Kansas City, Missouri

 [ Top of bass pipe ruined with silicone sealer
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Attachments/17/10/07/171007_100615_IMG_5901.JPG