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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Dear Debbie:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks for the info. The Pianola works, but only if
you connection a vacuum cleaner to one of the main hoses on the left side of the
piano. I don't really need to take the whole thing apart, do I ?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Regards,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Wayne</FONT></DIV>
<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=pianolady50@peoplepc.com
href="mailto:pianolady50@peoplepc.com">pianolady50@peoplepc.com</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=pianotech@ptg.org
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech List</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Tuesday, March 21, 2006 9:29
PM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> servicing the piano in player
pianos</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Here goes. First, these are general
comments and there *will* be exceptions. This is about upright, foot
pump players only. No reproducers, grands, coin-op, or expression
pianos. And..big disclaimer...I'll probably forget something so feel
free to jump in, really, anyone.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>If the player works, seriously consider teaming
up in some manner with an experienced player tech. The worst thing you
can do is have it not work when you're finished. I can guarantee you
will not have an adequate selection of hoses and tubes, etc. if any should
break. If you still wish to venture on your own...label and diagram
everything you take apart. You may think it will be obvious upon
reassembly, but many, many times it won't.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>If the player doesn't work (or you've decided to
venture as above) make sure the condition is agreed upon and documented, as
someone posted previously.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Remove all "upper" case parts (front, shelf,
fallboard, and cheek blocks). Locate the screws (or other mechanical
attachment) for the stack. Usually these are two (or more)screws running
vertically through the stack shelf at either end. Or as in the case of a
Standard Pneumatic Action, four large oval head screws running horizontally at
the bass end and one or two running vertically at the treble end. Remove
these screws. Remove the screw in to the plate from the spoolbox
brace. Disconnect any tubes or hoses that connect the top unit to the
bottom unit. Typically these will be one or two at the bass end
(tracking supply and sustain trip), hose to wind motor at treble end, and very
likely on many, but not all, the main supply hose from the pump (yes, delve
into the bottom bass end). Now you have mechanical linkage to
disconnect. Carefully look to find the play reroll linkage and the tempo
linkage. Move the keyslip levers back and forth while looking near and
around the wind motor and transmission. Disconnect these where there is
no "adjustment" possible. Find a clip attachment or leather nut to
undo. If you disconnect at an "adjustment" (sliding) connection you are
giving yourself a bigger headache when you put everything back together
:-) Now, at this point I advise engaging the keylock if the piano is
equipped with one. Look under the keybed for a lever that will lock the
keys in the up, or rest, position. Your piano may or may not have this
wonderful feature. Upright player keys are front weighted to allow them
to "drop" appropriately when the player is working. It is handy to keep
the back end of the keys down when trying to extricate an action and very
handy when putting the piano action back in! </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Okay, here goes, no turning back after
this! GENTLY try to slide the player stack forward. DO NOT LIFT
YET! The playing "fingers" have to be clear of the underside of their
wippen contact before you can lift. If you haven't missed disconnecting
something (DO CAREFULLY CHECK before you go too far) you should be able to
slide the stack forward about an inch or so. At this point securely grab
each end, lean in towards the spoolbox, and slightly lift the unit up and
towards your upper torso. They are heavy. Generally, with three
point contact (each hand for lift and upper body for balance) it is
possible. If you start and feel that the weight will be too much (as
with the "Metalnola" from Otto Higel) leave the stack in place and get
help. I always do a test lift before I actually go for it.
Remember, save your back! Bend at the knees and keep your back straight
when lowering the unit to the floor (easiest if you lower one end at a time).
Think that's it? Ready to just remove the piano action for
repairs? NO, NO. Check each end of the hammer rest rail for a
mechanical linkage. In player pianos equipped with bass and treble
hammer rail lift this linkage will have to be undone to remove the piano
action. It's easy to forget about this :-) and quite a surprise when the
action tries to yank you back into the piano when you so confidently and
swiftly try to remove it!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Now, the big question. Why not just slide
the player action forward and tip and lift the piano action out from
behind? Saves the nerves about possible damage to the stack. If
you are tall and strong enough to lift an upright action totally above your
head while leaning forward and reaching over the player stack, it's
possible. It's almost impossible to put the piano action back in using
the same approach and you will probably end up with even more
damage.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Now, this post is long enough and I have
hopefully discouraged loads of people (just kidding). I will post
tomorrow about servicing the piano action in an under the keybed stack
situation. Sounds easy, you say? Nothing in the way of the piano
action if the stack is below the keybed? Life is not so easy! Most
(not all) are spinets and there's still stuff up top, too.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Your nightmares have just begun. I must be
insane to love this stuff (yeah, yeah, I know).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Debbie</FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>