Silica Gel Packs

[Michael Magness]

On Nov 13, 2007 5:57 AM, John Formsma <formsma at gmail.com> wrote:
> One of the representatives of a major piano company (?) mentioned
> these bags at a technical presentation.  He said they should be
> removed at the dealer.  Their purpose is for the boat ride over to the
> States.
>
> I take them out, then "renew" them.  Then they go in the trunk of the
> car.  Do they do any good there?  I'm not sure, but it makes me FEEL
> better.  <g>  I haven't seen any rust on my tools, so maybe it does a
> little something.
>
> JF
>
> On 11/12/07, Phil Ryan <pryan2 at the-beach.net> wrote:
>
> > Opened a ten year old Belarus upright piano and found three cloth bags
> > of silica gel hanging from the lid hinges resting on the felt silencer
> > bar against the tuning pins.  Later found three more "pillows" in the
> > bottom of the piano.  They had been there since the piano was new.  When
> > I mentioned to the owner of the uselessness of these old bags, she
> > stressed that the last two tuners of the piano told her they were still
> > beneficial and had been keeping it in tune all these years.  I dutifully
> > replaced them in their original places after the tuning and left.  Am I
> > nuts? (Be nice)  We used to throw these away at the dealer at prep
> > time.  Have times changed?  Are ten year old silica gel sacks still
> > viable?  Can they harm a piano, other than falling into the action?
> >
> > Phil Ryan
> > Miami Beach
>
It's always fun to watch what happens to 'em when you throw one in a
bucket of water! My favorite use for them, amusement!

Mike

-- 
Knowledge is realizing that the street is one-way, wisdom is looking
both directions anyway.
Michael Magness
Magness Piano Service
608-786-4404
www.IFixPianos.com
email mike at ifixpianos.com