Music Trade Review

Issue: 1919 Vol. 69 N. 2

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
JULY 12, 1919
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW
If a salesman makes frequent use of certain
pet selling arguments, knowing by experience
that they help immensely to get his story across,
that's standardization. Every good thing that a
salesman does—and continues to do, week after
week, month in and month out—and does it in
I
The Second of a Series of Four Articles by A. S. BOND, President, Packard Piano Co. | practically the same way each time—is stand-
ardization of personal effort!
1
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If a man arises at about the same time each
Standardization, as applied to the men in the which are fundamentally necessary to the deliv-
shop, means more results—better quality—in ery of good service—then their whole minds, morning—that's standardization. Jt means that
hearts and hands will be receptive. They will he will "get going" at about the same time each
less time, and everybody satisfied.
There are, usually, many ways to do a given be eager to give the best that's in them— day. If there is no set time for arising—it in-
thing, but always one best way to do it; and anxious to learn, accept and adopt improve- terferes with business!
You eat three meals a day—at about the same
standardization in shop production consists of ments in their methods of handling their work
digging out the best way for each man, and each for the mutual good of their own and their em- time—that, too, is standardization. Standardi-
zation means to make a program, based on an
group of men, to handle each job, and making ployer's cause.
it an iron-clad rule to do it just that way.
So standardization in the shop begins with intelligent analysis of the needs and exigencies
Standardization is a real pal of the workman standardizing the viewpoint, individually and col- of your work—and carrying out that program
on a rigidly maintained schedule.
lectively, of the entire shop organization.
—not an opponent.
How many people per day, or per week,
The shop men should view their institution
For it does not ask a man to strain or hurry
himself, but simply to do things in the easier, as if it were a republic—a democracy. They should a salesman call upon?
You may say that's impossible to standardize.
quicker, simpler, surer way—based on an in- should be made to feel, by a definite system of
telligently developed plan of action founded meetings, where every one has a right to speak On the contrary—it is dead easy. Figure up
on the experiences of the past. It is harder his mind, held at regular intervals, that the how many people it is reasonable for you to call
mental work to loaf than it is to be real busy. interests of the employer are their interests; that upon—per day, or week, or month. How many
A motor does not exert itself anywhere as their employer's success is their success; that did you call upon last year? How many calls
much when on high gear as it does when on each man must feel the burden of responsibility resulted in an order—and how many did not?
You cannot standardize without analyzing
of being the boss of his own effort—under well-
low gear.
previous
experience!
defined
rules
based
on
standardization
of
effort
If the operations of the average workman
If you believe that experience is the best
were based on an intelligent plan as to the de- and workmanship.
The shop men should share in the fruits of teacher—how on earth can your experience teach
tails of handling the particular job—backed by
the proper monetary incentive that would act the economy that is brought about by stand- you if you don't study its lessons?
Experience itself alone does not teach. It
as a constant urge for him to pour into his work ardization.
personal interest—a continuous consciousness
A daily, weekly or monthly production sched- gives only the lessons. It requires the sales-
of the task at hand—and a degree of skill such ule should be figured out for each job—-on the man's mental co-operation in studying his ex-
as he would exert were he building the product point that a definite average output is expected perience—and making a program therefrom as
for himself instead of for the customer of his for the wage paid, and the incentive for ex- a standard for his continuous effort on a bigger-
employer—it would be dead easy to "double-up" ceeding the schedule should be that the em- caliber scale.
You may think that a salesman cannot stand-
on the output without increase of working force ploye share in the saving of the production in
ardize his growth.
and without stinting the quality one single bit. excess of the standardized mark.
This, too, can be done! How much goods did
Settlement of grievances and disputes should
Most employers do not go at it right. Em-
ployes should be taken into the confidence of be standardized by the establishment of a board, he sell last year—assuming that last year was
the employer. They should be made to feel on which board the employes should have repre- an average good year? If he wants to sell 25
like actual partners in the institution. And sentation, elected by them. This will keep the per cent, more goods this year over last y e a r -
men satisfied and happy, for the grievance of first determine if it is a reasonable expectation,
actions should be used instead of words.
Shop employes should be organized—by the one man spreads to other men—it is contagious! based on facts, figures, data; and, if it is reason-
"Help-the-other-fellow" is the principle upon able, set a mark, or goal, equivalent to a 25 per
employer. Frequent meetings should be held.
They should be taught, drilled and sold on the which standardization will be a true success as cent, larger sales-volume to be secured this year.
Then—itemize it. How much does it make it
meaning and on the practice of justice, co-opera- applied to the men in the shop.
A large part of the activities of every sales- necessary for you to sell per month, per week,
tion, economy, energy and service. This is some
man is based on standardization—but he does per day? If the product is seasonable, each
job—but the reward is worth the effort.
month must stand its particular sales-volume
When the men have the proper fundamentals not know it. He practices it involuntarily!
The average salesman is afraid of such load in its relation to the season.
of thought covering those points and have been
Standardization insists that you be a record-
taught how to reason—enabling them to see and things as standardization, as applied to his
believe and know that it is to their advantage own work. That's because he does not know keeper. This is necessary to determine if you
are ahead or behind in your program.
to be just, co-operative, economical, energetic— what it is.
The reason a railway train arrives at a point
1,000 miles distant to the minute is because its
running time is standardized and the engineer-
is watching his schedule at every station.
Standardization makes work easier—not hard-
er. It makes results surer and quicker. It makes
you use your experience as added fuel for in-
The following articles written by kiln engineers are now ready for
creasing
your success. It makes you continuous-
distribution. The data with illustrations contained therein will be of great
ly mentally creative—alert—and keeps you out
value to you in solving your kiln problems of design, operation and main-
of a rut. It makes you a student with a big in-
tenance.
come—instead of an expert at a plodder's earn-
Scientific Lumber Drying -
12 pages, 5 illus.
ing power!
Cooking Lumber Dry -
6 pages, 1 0 illus.
Continually be alert to the tested, proved,
Correct Methods of Drying Lumber
8 pages, 3 illus.
best ways of doing things—grab on an.d hang on
Economical Arrangement of Dry Kiln
- • 8 pages, 1 5 illus.
to them when you detect them. Get a program
A Modern Lumber Drying Plant
6 pages, 4 illus.
—and work your program. Delegate a certain
Dry Kiln for Government Service -
4 pages, 3 illus.
time to do certain regular things, and make
Gov't Spec. Kiln Drying Airplane Woods 4 pages, 4 illus.
yourself do them in just that way.
Suggestive Dry Kiln and Yard Layouts
12 pages, 1 3 illus.
Standardization is the best financial partner
Methods of Computing Costs of Kiln Drying 8 pages, 2 illus.
that a salesman has on earth!
Lumber Drying Tests -
8 pages, 9 illus.
Dry Kiln Instruments -
8 pages, 1 2 illus.
G0D0WSKY TO BE SOLOIST
Dry Kiln Trucks, Transfers and Lumber Lifts 8 pages, 1 0 illus.
Dry Kiln Operating Recording Methods -
6 pages, 8 illus.
Through- an error it was recorded in last
Moisture Percentage Calculator (Cardboard).
week's issue of The Review that Artur Bo-
danzky, conductor of the new Symphony Or-
Check those that are of interest to you, and we will mail them without charge
chestra .of the Musicians' New Orchestra So-
or obligation.
ciety of New York, would also be one of the
soloists for the coming season. The celebrated
pianist, Leopold Godowsky, is to be one of the
soloists, who will use the Knabe piano exclu-
Grand Rapids Veneer Works
sively. Mr. Bodanzky will confine himself to
Grand Rapids, Mich.
Seattle, Wash.
conducting, in which capacity he has won an
enviable reputation.
Standardization—Its Meaning and Its
1
Application to the Piano Industry |
01 Interest to the Kiln Users
GRAND RAPIDS VAPOR KILN
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
8
THE
MUSIC TRADE
REVIEW
SCIENTIFIC PROGRESS IN THE ART OF MAKING HAMMERS
Hammer Plant of the Standard Felt Co., Chicago, a Fine Example of a Well-equipped, Scien-
tifically Organized Factory—Careful Supervision of C. E. Platte Shown in Every Department
JULY 12,
1919
sheet of top-felt showing white in the picture
lies flat in the machine, under the molding,
which can be seen above the felt, with the dark
under-felt already glued in place on the lower
and middle sections. The operator is adjusting
the sheet of felt in order to insure its being set
in place correctly under the moldings. When
this has been done the top screws of the
machine will be turned down, pressing the mold-
ing into the felt and both into the caul below,
which determines the shape. Then, when the
glue has been applied the side screws will be
interesting pictures showing the most important
of the processes involved. The result is to give
the reader a clear idea both of the complexity
of the process and the exactness required in its
execution.
The Standard plant is on the sixth floor of a
very large loft building and its available work-
ing space exceeds that of many complete small-
er buildings. Entering to the right of Mr.
1 Matte's desk one passes up the large room, leav-
ing the packing department to one side, and
arrives at the benches where the first impor-
tant work is performed. This is the cutting of
the sheets of felt, according to the taper re-
quired by the particular piano maker whose
order is being filled at that moment. The pic-
ture (Eig. 1) shows clearly that the cutting is
done entirely by hand. Numerous attempts
have been made, says Mr. Platte, to perfect a
machine for the same purpose, but experience
has constantly showed that no knife yet pro-
duced can be kept on the job without constant
stropping by the hand of the expert user. In
No. 1.—Cutting the Felt Sheets
which converted the harpsichord into the piano- fact, the felt-cutter will tell you that he spends
No. 5.—Boring Moldings for Bending Wire
forte. Cristofori, harpsichord maker to the more time sharpening his murderous-looking
Medici family two hundred years ago, gave to blades than he does in the cutting itself. At the tightened and the side of the felt forced down
the instrument which he worked out in his little cutting bench to the right hand may be seen the around the molding. In this condition the ham-
shop among the outbuildings of the palace at stropping board. Beyond the bench are some mer-set is left as long as required, when the
Florence the name "gravicembalo col piano e
machine is unscrewed and the hammer-set taken
forte," or loud and soft playing clavier. Thence
out.
dates the piano. The hammer, in a word, is the
From here it goes to the trimming and
characteristic of the piano as the bow is of the
cleaning department shown in the next picture
violin.
(Fig. 4). Here the workmen are seen trim-
The piano hammer has gradually been de-
ming-, sandpapering and finally separating the
veloped from a wooden head lightly covered with
hammers. The men to the right of the picture
leather into an elaborate and beautifully worked-
are trimming the edges of the molding and sand-
out structure of felt, glued on wood and fined
papering the felt, while the man on the left is
down in the most exquisitely skilful manner
cutting apart the individual hammers.
from one end of the scale to the other. The
The next step is to deliver the hammers in
manufacture and refinement of the special ham-
sets to the girls, who bore them for the inser-
mer-felt, the tapering of the hammer-line, the
tion of the binding wire. Many expert hammer-
determination of the relative hardness and re-
makers feel that this wiring is rather superfluous,
siliency of the hammers for each individual
but piano makers demand it and so they get
scale, are all matters of the utmost importance
what they demand. The boring is done at
and have been worked out gradually by those
the machines shown, which are so devised that
who have devoted themselves to this one spe-
the girls cannot make a mistake, even if they
cialty. In fact, it is more than doubtful whether
try, while the operation of inserting and tight-
the hammer could ever have been developed to
ening the wires is one which they come to per-
No. 3.—Centering Felt on Moldings
its present point of mechanical excellence if of the sheets of hammer-felt complete, as these form with lightning speed and skill. A good
come from the company's California felting operator in the bunch makes better wages than
plant, while a pile of cut strips for hammer- the average skilled stenographer.
Towards the end of the room, as shown in Eig.
sets may likewise be clearly perceived.
Passing to the right of the cutting-benches the
visitor now enters the great machine room, of
which one corner is shown in the accompanying
picture (Fig. 2). Some idea of the size of this
department may be gained by glancing at the
relative sizes of the operator and machine shown
in the next picture (Eig. 3) and then count-
ing the machines, some three dozen, to be seen
in the one corner shown herewith. The men
are seen preparing the cauls in which the mold-
ings and felt are forced together in the ma-
No. 2.—Gluing the Felt
each individual manufacturer had been obliged chines. Others are preparing the machines for
gluing-up the sets of hammers. The "close-up"
to work out his own ideas alone.
The hammer shop of the Standard Felt Co.,
No. 6.—Inserting Binding Wire in Hammers
devoted to the making of piano hammers, is
6,
may be seen the expert packer, busily en-
located in Chicago at 844 West Adams street,
gaged in wrapping the sets of hammers, which
and constitutes an object lesson to any one who
may be seen piled up all around her.
may be inclined to doubt any of the statements
made above. Under the very expert adminis-
"The selection and felting of the wool, its
tration of Charles E. Platte this plant has de-
proper treatment in the felting mill and all the
veloped the manufacture of piano hammers to
other details of the sorts are not less impor-
a degree of exactness which to the layman is
tant, of course, than what you have already
quite astounding. Like every expert specialist
seen here," said Mr. Platte to The Review's
Mr. Platte may sometimes wish that his clients
representative at the close of the journey
would be a little less capricious in their demands,
through the shop. "But what I have here shown
but this does not prevent him from giving them
you represents that phase of hammer manu-
a service of the utmost completeness.
facture which is really vital. Our business, like
that of most -supply branches of the piano in-
The making of a modern piano hammer can
No. 4.—Separating the Glued-up Hammers
dustry, has suffered in the past from the capri-
be studied in the Standard plant with any
amount of detail required. During a recent in Fig. 3 shows the operator "centering" the ciousness of clients and from traditional meth-
visit by the technical editor of The Review sheet of felt under a set of hammer-molding on ods. But the day is at hand when scientific
the opportunity was seized to take some very which the felt has already been glued. The methods will revolutionize the individual con-
The making of piano hammers is not alone
a highly specialized trade, but one which has
had a great deal, indeed, to do with the won-
derful development of the modern piano. It
was the invention of a hammer of wood cov-
ered with leather, swinging on a leather hinge,

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