<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1505" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hi Matthew,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I Have a few cork ones left, but when = they are gone, I plan on using the strap ones only.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I prefer the suede tabs to the plastic. = as they remain soft in the case that they are carried in.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>To install the tape only type I have a = tool <G></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Simple to make and not totally my idea: = </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1/8" welding rod 6" long</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1  old damper head drilled out to 1/8"</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Flatten one end of the welding rod to = less than 1/4" ( measure the hole for the tape )</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>and file a tooth in the middle of the = end of the flat you have made. This tooth catches the tape and holds it while you = add a drop of glue. the damper block gives you the same measurement for each = tape. Simply measure the old tape in the piano and extrapulate where the block = needs to be.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>You may want to add a handle. If you do = be sure to have the damper head in place first.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Of couse I use my hex stuff and = small hex handle.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>When installing the tapes I sometimes = find that I need to have another long screw driver to hold the tape in place while I = pull the inserter out as the tool becomes sticky with glue after a few tapes = and it is  easier to clean off a sctrw driver if it becomes gooy. = </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I try to install the tape in against = the point where the old tape once was.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>When you are about halfway done = inserting the new tapes the glue will have dried enough that you can start gently hooking = them up.</FONT></DIV> <DIV>Joe Goss RPT<BR>Mother Goose Tools<BR><A href="mailto:imatunr@srvinet.com">imatunr@srvinet.com</A><BR><A href="http://www.mothergoosetools.com">www.mothergoosetools.com</A></DI= V> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B> <A title=toddpianoworks@yahoo.com href="mailto:toddpianoworks@yahoo.com">Matthew Todd</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A = title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, August 11, 2005 = 9:54 AM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Bridle Strap = Replacement</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>I practiced some bridle strap replacements on my old = upright.  They originally had cork, and I replaced that with the regular straps (that = was all I had).  After they dried, I put the action back and tested the = notes and found that some of the back checks would hit some of the straps not = causing the hammer to strike the string properly.  I guess I learn pretty = quickly what I need to do next time.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>What kind of straps do ya'll use?  I know some like the = cork, and they just use a dab of glue on each, but then will that mess with the = next technician down the road who replaces them?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Matthew</DIV> <P>__________________________________________________<BR>Do You Yahoo!?<BR>Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection = around <BR>http://mail.yahoo.com </P></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>