Steamer

[Ed Sutton]

Joel-
Yes, Home Depot, $49.
I've wanted a Stanley Steamer for a long time. I read they run on anything
that burns. Unfortunately the electric starter put them out of business.
See you in Kansas, one way or another...... puffa puffa puffa......
Ed

> [Original Message]
> From: joel jones <jajones2@wisc.edu>
> To: <ed440@mindspring.com>; College and University Technicians
<caut@ptg.org>
> Date: 6/25/2004 8:11:00 AM
> Subject: Re: Steamer
>
> Ed,
> Is this Singer Lazer Steamer available in home depot, etc. ?   
> Approximate cost?
>
>   Institute committee changed that for you next year.    If it were a 
> Stanley Steamer, not a Singer, you could drive.
> KC June 15-19.
>
> Joel
> Assistant Director, Nashville
> Madison, WI
> On Jun 24, 2004, at 9:31 PM, Ed Sutton wrote:
>
> > Hi, Lance-
> >
> > Now and then on CAUT we have discussed light steaming of hammers and
> > keybushings to lift the string grooves and flattened bushing cloth, 
> > noting
> > that there seem to be two stages to wear: the first is flattening or
> > compressing, the second is pulverizing or grinding.  So, the theory 
> > is, if
> > you steam the practice room hammers and key bushings once a year, they 
> > will
> > play better and last longer.  On the keys, it's best to insert a sizing
> > caul or insert a hot sizing iron after steaming.
> >
> > You go quickly; maybe 20 seconds to steam 88 hammers, 3 seconds in the 
> > key
> > bushing.  It will also help slightly loose balance pin holes.  (You can
> > also do this with a damp cloth and hammer iron, though not quite as 
> > fast.)
> >
> > The Lazer Steamer jet is not as hot as what I get from a modified hot 
> > pot
> > (lid taped shut and short tube taped into the spout), but it is more
> > pressurized, and after the first squirt, rather dry.  It doesn't put 
> > any
> > more moisture on the plate than Q-tips and Murphy's oil soap, and 
> > because
> > it's hot, it dries quickly.  If you stayed in one place, you could 
> > build up
> > moisture, so you keep moving.
> >
> > Although the hot pot was good for lots of things, it was dangerous - 
> > very
> > hot steam, and prone to splatter if tipped or moved too fast.
> >
> > The Lazer steamer puts out enough pressure to blow off a damper if you 
> > get
> > too close, but with care it fluffs old dampers enough to make a 
> > difference.
> >
> > So, as I keep saying, I think this contraption (Singer Lazer Steamer) 
> > has
> > many uses in a piano shop.  On the box they say it cleans just about
> > everything.
> >
> > I'll let you know if I can make it tighten a loose tuning pin!
> >
> > The oil was 3 in 1 oil, just a little squirt on a rag, then wipe all 
> > the
> > plain wires.  It's something I do after polishing off rusty strings.
> >
> > Sorry, I won't be at Nashville.  I'll be at Quaker Gathering in
> > Massachusetts.  The home office shoulda checked with our schedule!
> >
> > Ed
> >
> >
> >> [Original Message]
> >> From: llafargue <llafargue@charter.net>
> >> To: <ed440@mindspring.com>; College and University Technicians
> > <caut@ptg.org>
> >> Date: 6/24/2004 8:04:52 PM
> >> Subject: RE: Steamer
> >>
> >> Hey Ed, interested in revitalization of felt, especially hammers.  Is 
> >> it
> >> that they are hard and the steam swells them and adds resilience?  I
> >> too, was concerned about moisture on strings.  Is the steam hot?  How
> >> 'bout oil?  Is it mineral oil?  How applied?  I've seen it on a couple
> >> of Yamahas, but didn't know if it was factory, since I've seldom seen
> >> it.
> >> P.S.  Leaving for Nashville tomorrow if I don't respond.  Are you 
> >> going?
> >> Thanks.
> >>
> >> Lance Lafargue, RPT
> >> LAFARGUE PIANOS
> >> New Orleans Chapter, PTG
> >> 985.72P.IANO
> >> llafargue@charter.net
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of 
> >> Ed
> >> Sutton
> >> Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2004 9:51 PM
> >> To: College and University Technicians; caut@ptg.org
> >> Subject: Steamer
> >>
> >>
> >> Dear List-
> >>
> >> Yesterday I purchased Singer Lazer Steamer for $49 at home Depot.
> >> I'm delighted with it.
> >> It looks like a big teapot with a downward pointing nozzle.  It 
> >> squirts
> >> a
> >> jet of steam when you press a trigger button.
> >> So far I've tried it for softening dampers,  reviving hammers, 
> >> reviving
> >> keybushings and back key rail cloth, all with good results.
> >> I tested for removing key bushings and found it worked well on hide
> >> glue,
> >> but needed a little glue softener added to the bushing for white glue.
> >> The great delight was cleaning a plate and soundboard.  It was the 
> >> best
> >> I've ever done at getting the dirt out between strings at the 
> >> hitchpins.
> >> I've used many home made steam shooters.  None come near the ease and
> >> dependability of this gadjet.
> >>
> >> Ed Sutton
> >>
> >>
> >> _______________________________________________
> >> caut list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
> >>
> >
> >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
> > caut list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
> >
> >
> Joel & Connie Jones
> 9 Springwood Circle
> Madison, WI  53717-1227
> 608 833 1488
> fax 608 833 6724