How to repair bellows cloth in a player piano
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- The patching technique described here comes from www.stevespiano...
The bellows for the foot pumps were in very good condition, with no rips, tears, or holes, so I only cleaned them. The reservoir bellow was the worst in the whole instrument.
For those of us looking for information, it would be very helpful if the entire video wasn't a few inches away from black fabric and the few moments you walked around it seemed out of focus and disorienting... I still can't tell where this piece (pieces?) goes in the piano or how you got it out etc... I am looking to buy one that needs this repair and this was not as informative as I had hoped... all I learned is that you glued fabric to old fabric.... are there more bellows as well? (in the description) ...maybe if you did a followup that explained how you got it apart or if it is possible for a novice to even attempt... thanks
John Tuttle has an excellent video covering the removal of the upper and lower actions of a player piano. This video is illustrative, as there were no picture or videos online showing what is explained at Steve's Piano Repair, so you will have to use his and my descriptions to complete your repair. This video shows the large air reservoir bellow that I part of the lower action connected to the foot pedals. You need yellow rubber cement and cotton cloth of approximately the same weight as the cloth you are going to repair. Read the website linked in the description. That is the point of this video, that Steve's method, although not a proper repair (the correct way is to remove the old cloth and recover with new), that this method works and will quickly get your piano up and running.
I do not suggest tackling a player piano if you are not already mechanically inclined and don't mind learning on the go.
@@okbridges ... I agree... I am going to pass on trying this repair myself!... Thanks!
I wonder if a caulk like DAP Alex Plus with silicone (40 year), maybe thinned with water, would last longer than rubber cement? Supposedly stays flexible and comes in clear. The adhesive I purchased for the tracker bar rubber tubing looks like its made that way. Its thin like paint, so soaks into the cracks between the wood and tubing. Works well for me. Nice simple videos.
Silicone based products are very difficult to overcome when doing a proper restoration. It makes it much harder for glue to stick. Don't use it!
Watching because I have a very similar unit (wo electric motor) requiring a rebuild. And planning to DIY it. Mine Has never been rebuilt. I was wondering why you went to such lengths to "patch up" the cloth rather than just replace it? Would it not make it last longer?
I think your perception of 'great lengths' may be a bit off. What I did and what is involved to patch up the cloth as shown here is a walk in the park compared to the work required to do a good job replacing the cloth entirely. To spend the amount of time I did in repairing the cloth when replacing the cloth/rebuilding the action would be a hack job and not worth doing. When you go to replace the cloth, you want the rebuild to last the life of the cloth (about 40 years), nothing less. You want it to look and work like it just came out of the factory.
Using this method to repair the existing cloth creates no problems for the future work of replacing the cloth either.
Check out John Tuttle's youtube channel for some really excellent videos showing how to do player piano rebuilds. He has a very excellent video covering rebuilding the striker pneumatics.
Good luck with your rebuild
This video will give you a more accurate view of some of the work involved in doing a proper repair (rebuild) of a player action: ruclips.net/video/sEZYV77SY6A/видео.html
I've stated it before in other places, and it bears repeating: Doing a proper rebuild is the only way to properly repair a player piano action. If you plan to do it yourself, it will require a substantial investment of attention to detail and time to complete and have an action that will perform reliably for the life of the cloth.
If you cannot make this investment, and your old cloth is not badly shredded, you can get your piano to function without risk of complications when you do decide to rebuild, using the method of repair outlined in this video. It is not a proper repair, but it is quick and easy to perform and will buy you some more time on the old cloth.
@@okbridges I will watch these certainly. My player (a simplex) has been non functional for over 40 years. I remember it working, (sort of) when I was a child. It was in need of repair then already. I don't think it has ever been serviced. So I'm sure all the cloth inside is original and most likely over 100 years old already. Even if it takes longer I think it would be best to "do it right" and replace it all simply because of its age, start new.
I have a Gulbransen. Does the governor have to be took off to replace the cloth? If so, how does it come off?
Likely yes. I would not try rebuilding it while still mounted to the rest of the action. I am not familiar with Gulbransen action enough to recommend how to remove it.
Thank you for your quick response!
It will be a wonderful addition to the domestic display at the Shows!
Just starting to repair one
Do you have a contact page? I'm in NE Oklahoma and trying to locate someone that can repair my player piano.
I do not do piano repair, but can give advice. Please feel free to email me with questions.
I always replace or recover the cloth.
That's the best way to do it. For some folks the time and expense may not be an option, but replacement is still the best way, and the correct way.
would be better to have a professional recovering these bellows instead of making a mess of them patching. if they are cracked they are NOT in good condition.
As stated, this is not a proper repair, but may save a player from being gutted or discarded.
@@okbridges Did it sound fine ?
Yes exactly, new rubber bellow cloth is the way to go, because with my experience with pump organs, buy and conquer is the way to go, buy the right bellows cloth and glue it on with real hot hide glue.
I thought Steve was talking about the little bellow keys, not the actual bellows.
You have to think of it like this, are you going to put extra rubber on your old car tires or are you going to buy new tires?
Also even it you make the bellows not leak, are they going to be flexible enough?
I made a similar mistake, that I thought I could "repair" the bellows, but it wasn't very good, the bellows became as hard as a rock.
I am looking to have my Sterling piano player repaired. My piano is just like the one in your video that you restored. I live near Albany New York. Are you that area or do you know someone who is who dies the work like you did?
I live in Oklahoma. I suggest you contact John Tuttle at www.player-care.com he is in NJ/NY area and may know someone.
Have you found anyone yet? I live in Schenectady. My friend is a player piano tech.
What cloth specifically did you use?
This is a woven cotton cloth available at any fabric store.
@@okbridges Did it end up working?
Yes, it has worked well.