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The cloth on the exhausters is in near perfect condition and it seemed a shame to replace them, however the flap valves are leaky so they had to go. All bearings have retained their grease and are rumble free.

External flap valve arrangement showing the felt strip and leather base.

The 4 exhausters after fitting new flap valves, leather gaskets and recovering in heavy rubber cloth.

Refitting to the cast iron base plate and bearings, after stripping and packing with fresh grease.

Internal flap valve.

The motor driven box pump:

Testimonials

Similarly the cloth on the pneumatics is still almost like new. It took very firm pressure for that corner to tear. These instruments were often manufactured from very high quality materials.

After 8o years service these valves are in remarkably clean condition.

The expression box removed and looking pretty sorry for itself.

This one came apart very easily. It seems these later types were put together with long screws and gaskets saving a lot of work and potential damage.

Rebuilding commences and below

the original test date of 09/12/1928

The Duo Art Expression box complete and ready to refit. I have recovered the accordions with fine pneumatic cloth as an experiment after reading of others experiences. I can recover in quality pouch leather if required.

Destringing and.........................................

........................restringing with clean and level keys.

Above, retubing the refurbished stack and below, refitting the lower action.

Modifications made to the motor switch for electrical safety. The mechanical action of the original switch is used to operate a microswitch fitted with a spark suppressor. Similar to those pictured below.

Acknowledgements to John Farmer of Musicanic.com and Paddy Handscombe at the Player Piano Group for their assistance with this.

I have decided to replace the original motor in my quest for reliability and electrical safety. This one is evenly matched for power and RPM, has a capacitor start and run,

and the manufacturers claim that it should run for 20,000 hours under normal operation without maintenance. I have also replaced the leather belt with a modern ‘V’ belt as it was kinked and perished.

The original motor pictured here still runs though it gets very hot under prolonged load. It would very easy to refit it if desired to keep the  instrument authentic but I would recommend a complete overhaul  and safety check before doing so. I am not qualified to carry out this work but I am sure there are plenty of electric motor repair shops that would for a reasonable sum.

The restored piano action includes new hammers and dampers along with all springs felts and tapes.

Below is a detail of the resprayed backplate along with new wrest pins and strings.

The casework has been completely stripped and  repolished by hand and the richness of the finish can be seen in these pictures above and below:

The finished article!

Click on this text or

the links at the bottom of this page to visit the ‘Music’ page to hear this player in action.

This instrument is now SOLD however I do have another 88 note Steck very similar to the above with restored player action and motor which will be ready for sale in February 2012.