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The Music Trade Review
MAY 15, 1926
39
The Technical and Supply Department—(Continued from page 38)
started again and brings forward the next dried
piece of work. Allowing for, say, twenty backs
on one machine, it will be seen that each piece
of work has plenty of time to set sufficiently
while it is in the clamp, as nineteen old pieces
must be taken off and nineteen new ones
clamped up before the first can be taken off
the carrier. Incidentally, the Forest Products
Laboratory at Madison, Wis., has come to the
conclusion as the result of continued experiment
that in the general run of shop work it is ad-
visable to have not less than 100 pounds pres-
sure per square inch from the clamps to assure
good work.
It should also be remarked that the general
adoption of such carriers largely takes its rise
from the fact that available lumber is now com-
monly narrower than it was a few years ago,
owing to the growing scarcity of large trees.
The lumber manufacturers may say what they
like, but it is perfectly well known that where
the average width of the pieces composing a
table top might years ago have been five or
six inches, to-day it is much more likely to be
two or three. That, of course, means edge
gluing. It also means that lumber supply is
becoming—in fact, has already become—a mat-
ter of tremendous importance to the economic
health of the country. The forests are becom-
ing depleted of commercially useful woods, and
there is no use in saying anything to the con-
trary.
Mr. Burns' paper also directed attention to
the fact that piano manufacturers are finding
many uses for clamp carriers, which at one time
were not even thought of, especially in apply-
ing their principles to thick stock, such as heavy
key bottoms and grand piano braces.
The Lacquer Question
At the present time every piano factory is
full of talk about lacquers. The finishing of
pianos has been pretty much of a closed ques-
tion for many years, and the injection into it
of new interest at this time is most stimulating.
S. M. Silverstein, of Bigelow, Kent, Willard &
Co., Boston, presented a paper on "The Tech-
nology of Wood Finishes and Their Applica-
tion." Mr. Silverstein argued that the first
thing to be considered in dealing scientifically
with the matter of wood finishes is the proper
relation of the various processes to each other.
He showed how the development of the nitro-
cellulose products during the War had directly
led to the application of lacquer in wood-
working, but he also was careful to observe
that, unfortunately, it is useless to think about
finishes until first one has settled the question
of undercoatings, that is, of stains and fillers.
The pyroxilin finishes (lacquers) cannot be
used with oil or spirit stains. This leaves only
water stains, but water' stains are for many
reasons unsuitable. Water stains raise the
grain of the wood and open the pores, so that,
despite careful sanding, it is often impossible
to obtain a full finish effect with lacquer. What
is then required is that the chemists should
have an opportunity to produce a stain which
will not raise grain or open pores. Until this
has been accomplished lacquer finishes will
probably not be generally satisfactory for wood
products. Mr. Silverstein presented facts to
show that chemical science is already in a good
position to make a successful attack upon this
problem.
Passing to the question of fillers, Mr. Silver-
stein pointed out that all these compounds are
in reality drying oils loaded with some such
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material as ground sand, and that with the ad-
vent of lacquers the whole problem of properly
applying them had been greatly intensified,
largely owing to the effects of the solvents
which form part of the lacquer. He believes
that nothing satisfactory will be accomplished
until there has been sufficient fundamental re-
search to put the whole matter upon a practical
scientific foundation.
Comparing shellacs and varnishes with
lacquers, Mr. Silverstein concludes that some
of their qualities compare as follows:
Shellac and lacquer are in their components
durable, varnish hard and lustrous. In drying
shellac is quick, varnish slow, lacquer very
rapid. In filling varnish and shellac are good,
lacquer poor. Shellac and lacquer are perma-
nent; varnish checks. Shellac and varnish
scratch easily; lacquer is hard to scratch.
Shellac and varnish blister under heat;
lacquer does not. The film strength of varnish
and shellac is low; of lacquer high.
Lacquer is from 7 per cent to 12 per cent
more expensive, as calculated on a high-grade
furniture product like in dimensions to a piano
case. These extra costs appear to be more
than balanced by quicker drying and more
rapid moving of stock.
but an actual gain over the week before was
implied when thirty-six more mills reported to
the Association.
Philadelphia Y. M. G. A.
Announces Summer Course
Special Session from June 1 to August 6 Will
Cover Piano Tuning, Action Regulating and
Repairing
PHILADELPHIA, PA., May 8.—William O. Easton,
executive of the department of instruction of
the Y. M. C. A. of Philadelphia, has announced
that a special Summer course will be conducted
by the Co-operative Piano Tuning School of
this organization. The Y. M. C. A. has con-
ducted this course for instruction in piano tun-
ing for many years. Last year the co-operative
plan was begun whereby the pupils would not
only receive theoretical instruction in the class
rooms but would also receive actual practice
in piano factories. The special Summer course
will be conducted from June 1 to August 6 and
will include piano tuning, action regulating and
repairing.
New Shellac Decision
Correspondence
is solicited and should be addressed to William
Braid White, 5149 Agatite avenue, Chicago, 111.
Lumber Shipments High
WASHINGTON, D. C, May 8.—A new high point
for 1926 was reported by the National Lumber
Manufacturers' Association with reference to
the production and shipments of hardwood and
softwood lumber for the week ended May 1.
A total of 115 of the chief hardwood mills of
the country co-operated with the reporting
service and showed decreases in these factors,
WASHINGTON, D. C, May 10.—A decision case
involving a shipment of bleached shellac, in
rolls and powder, which was assessed at 20 per
cent as a non-enumerated manufactured article
was heard recently by United States Court of
Customs Appeals. The protest of the importer,
Hurst & Co., was sustained by the judgment of
the Board of General Appraisers, and the Gov-
ernment, which was fighting the case, appealed
to the higher court.
Consult the Universal Want Directory of
The Review. In it advertisements are inserted
free of charge to men who desire positions.
TUNERS
AND
REPAIRERS
Our new catalogue of piano and
Player Hardware, Felts and
Tools is now ready. If you
haven't received your copy
please let us know.
Hammacher, Schlemmer & Co.
New York, Since 1848
4th Ave. and 13th St.