Player piano vent block diagnosis

[gordon stelter]

Yes, that is correct. I did a Laffargue several years
ago ( gorgeous sounding piano by the way, "artist's
quality" piano ). A few  swift kicks on the pedals are
needed to set the valves.
    Thump

--- Kerry Cooper <brispiano@optushome.com.au> wrote:

> A few quick sharp jabs on the pedals will give the
> required vacuum to lift 
> the valves to stop them from sphering, as the valves
> are up side down.
> Once the valves close, the pedalling should be good.
> Some times it takes 5 
> or 6 quick sharp pumps to do this.
> 
> Best of luck.
> 
> Kerry Cooper
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Greg Graham" <grahampianos@yahoo.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2005 2:46 PM
> Subject: Player piano vent block diagnosis
> 
> 
> >I wanted to call this subject "Players suck" just
> to
> > get some attention, but refrained.  Technically
> > correct, but often mistaken for a disrespectful
> value
> > judgement.
> >
> > My problem:  customer's Laffarge upright player,
> built
> > 1919, player action nicely rebuilt 1970, still
> very
> > clean and tight, works great, EXCEPT...
> >
> > When starting a roll, there is the sound of a
> major
> > vacuum leak.  The spool turns slowly, but no keys
> > play.  You have to turn the electric vac up to
> full
> > power, something pops shut, then the piano plays
> > perfectly, even after slowing the vac back down to
> the
> > minimum.  The pump is tight, the motor is tight,
> the
> > action stack leaks only a little at the end
> gaskets.
> >
> > I think the action cutoff "gate box and vent
> block",
> > between the pump reservoir and action stack is
> > malfunctioning.  It appears externally to be
> exactly
> > like the photo in Reblitz's "Player Piano...",
> page
> > 106, Illus. 6-17, third printing, 1986.
> >
> > I didn't have time to take it apart, but was
> hoping an
> > expert would have an idea why this valve would be
> slow
> > to close, needing very high vacuum.  Any advice?
> > Quick fix?  Something else wrong?
> >
> > Greg Graham
> > Closet player piano aficionado in denial
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > __________________________________
> > Do you Yahoo!?
> > Yahoo! Mail - Helps protect you from nasty
> viruses.
> > http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
> > 
> 
> _______________________________________________
> pianotech list info:
> https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
> 



	
		
__________________________________ 
Celebrate Yahoo!'s 10th Birthday! 
Yahoo! Netrospective: 100 Moments of the Web 
http://birthday.yahoo.com/netrospective/