<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD><TITLE>Message</TITLE> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=windows-1250"> <STYLE></STYLE> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1491" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY id=MailContainerBody style="PADDING-LEFT: 10px; FONT-WEIGHT: normal; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; = COLOR: #000000; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; PADDING-TOP: 15px; FONT-STYLE: = normal; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; = BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; TEXT-DECORATION: none; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: = none" bgColor=#ffffff leftMargin=0 topMargin=0 name="Compose message = area" CanvasTabStop="true" acc_role="text"> <DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005><FONT face=Arial>Hi Alan,</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005><FONT face=Arial>The Papps mute = is a great tool if used the correct way,</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005><FONT face=Arial> and you = do not mind the attack sound that you get due to the plastic resonating on the string.</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005><FONT face=Arial> I could = never get comfortable with the ping.</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005><FONT face=Arial>The mute that I = use is very similar to the papps mute and has no ping. </FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005><FONT face=Arial>It is a split = rubber mute with a spring steel handle. </FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005><FONT face=Arial> I got to = using the split mute when working on an old bird cage piano that was given to me. = Now it is all that I use along with a bass mute that I tie to the split mute = with Spider Wire.</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005><FONT face=Arial>The mute from = Schaff must be altered a bit to work well. The tip needs to be cut down to a point = of 1/4" and the thickness redused of the tips need to be just a little thicker = than the space between the unison wires and tapering to 1/8".</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005><FONT = face=Arial></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005>"And finally, for this round, be = sure and go out right away and buy a Papps Treble Mute. Everybody has one. Almost no = one uses them. Many don't even know how to use them. But they are a pretty = blue color and you don't want to be the only guy in PTG without one, do = you??? <G>"</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005></SPAN> </DIV></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=tune4u@earthlink.net = href="mailto:tune4u@earthlink.net">Alan</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A = title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">'Pianotech'</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, March 24, 2005 = 5:49 PM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> FW: Answer to an = Anonymous Lurking Newbie</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005>This came to me privately, = thought I'd answer out loud tho, as others might benefit: </SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005><EM>"...I've been taking the = Potter course, and have been lurking on the piano-tech list for some time = now.  I will try to keep this short, I always enjoy reading your post, and = would like to ask you something ... I know basic questions on the list tend = to get smart ass remarks from some! <STRONG>(WHO, US???, Ed)</STRONG> = ... I'm trying to get a proficient tool kit set up for the field, and would = like to here what you think would be a must have on the job!!!!  Any = input would be greatly appreciated!!!!!  Thanks in = advance!!!"    </EM>   </SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005>Well I'm not sure you've asked = the right person! My modus operendi, so far, has been to blow bucks on every = tool that comes down the pike ... then have quite a collection of stuff I never = use! I think ol' Randy even warned about that in his course, but it didn't = stop me.</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005>Let's take it in = stages:</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005>How long have you been involved? = Are you "out there" tuning? What is your plan, e.g., to be a field tuner, do rebuilding, etc?</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005>This topic comes up now and = again on the list. You're right, though, if you had asked<SPAN class=078134600-25032005>, </SPAN>someone would likely have = said "check the archives." Have you done that? They are located at <A = href="https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/">http://www.ptg.org/piper= mail/pianotech.php/</A></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005>Type in search words like 'basic = tools', 'tools I wouldn't be without', etc., and see what you can find. Then = let's "talk" some more.</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005>The first bit I'd suggest, = though, is to go slowly in aquiring tools--not only for the expense but so you don't = become a collector, too. 'Frinstance, I worked for about two years propping = upright lids against the customer's wall with a towel or something to avoid = scratches. Then I bought a lid prop devise from Bill Spurlock and use it all the = time. Another little secret (and the prop is a good example) is that you can = fabricate or adapt a lot of things without paying the big bucks to buy = someone elses.</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005>Here's another example. In the Potter-supplied tools, you probably got a small punch for removing = center pins. This works fine. Someday, when you are rebuilding an action or something, you'll want to get one of the fancy tools that remove pins = on one side and insert them with the other, etc. Then you'll have that tool = and never use the punch again. But for now ...</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005>You need some key cauls for = replacing key bushings. But mostly you just need one or two of the .146" size for = field repairs. (Spurlock sells a little bag of singles in d<SPAN class=078134600-25032005>i</SPAN>fferent sizes just for this) But = wait until you have sold a complete rebushing job before buying whole sets of = cauls, or electric irons for removing felt, etc., etc.</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005>In other words, let the jobs pay = for themselves as much as possible while you concentrate on making money = doing things you know how to do.</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005>One other critical point, I = think, is to always buy quality tools. Cheap stuff will let you down. This is = especially true in things like pliers, vise-grips, hammers, etc.</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=796152200-25032005>And finally, for this round, be = sure and go out right away and buy a Papps Treble Mute. Everybody has one. = Almost no one uses them. Many don't even know how to use them. But they are a = pretty blue color and you don't want to be the only guy in PTG without one, = do you??? <G></SPAN></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial>Alan R. Barnard</FONT></DIV> <DIV align=left><FONT face=Arial>Salem, MO</FONT></DIV><BR> <P>--<BR>No virus found in this outgoing message.<BR>Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.<BR>Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.1 - Release = Date: 03/23/2005<BR></P><BR> <P><FONT size=2>--<BR>No virus found in this outgoing = message.<BR>Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.<BR>Version: 7.0.308 / Virus Database: 266.8.1 - = Release Date: 03/23/2005<BR></FONT></P></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>