<div> The contents of these packets look remarkably like the kitty litter I buy a Trader Joe's.  Best kitty litter I've ever used.  I always remove them from the piano, not because they do any inherent damage, but because they can break and leave the little beads all over the bottom of the piano and the living room floor.  When pianos get put on their side during delivery, these bags have a tendency to get wedged in the pedals, which decreases their life expectancy. I don't want to be responsible in any way, shape, or form, for some little tyke finding these attractive little crystals on the floor and thinking they're candy.... </div> <div> </div> <div> </div> -----Original Message----- From: Michael Magness <IFixPianos@yahoo.com> To: Pianotech List <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Tue, 13 Nov 2007 5:59 am Subject: Re: Silica Gel Packs <div id="AOLMsgPart_0_35b0f79d-f0ec-46c0-8dc9-5e853b92e76d" style="margin: 0px; font-family: Tahoma,Verdana,Arial,Sans-Serif; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> <pre style="font-size: 9pt;"><tt>On Nov 13, 2007 5:57 AM, John Formsma <<a href="mailto:formsma@gmail.com">formsma@gmail.com</a>> 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 <<a href="mailto:pryan2@the-beach.net">pryan2@the-beach.net</a>> 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 <a href="http://www.IFixPianos.com" target="_blank">www.IFixPianos.com</a> email <a href="mailto:mike@ifixpianos.com">mike@ifixpianos.com</a> </tt></pre> </div>  <div class="AOLPromoFooter"> <hr style="margin-top:10px;" /> Email and AIM finally together. You've gotta check out free <a href="http://o.aolcdn.com/cdn.webmail.aol.com/mailtour/aol/en-us/index.htm?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000970" target="_blank">AOL Mail</a>! </div>