Presto

PRESTO
HELPS TO TUNERS
AND REPAIR MEN
A Series of Expert Articles on the Methods
and Mysteries of the Harmonizers,
and Other Correction of Player-
piano Difficulties.
COMPOUND VALVE MOTORS
Troubles of Practical Tuners and Others, Are In-
vited for Discussion and Often Explanation
and Solution by Author.
By H E N R Y L. P E L T I E R .
Herewith is a drawing of an air motor operated by
slide valve, where one slide operates two pneumatics,
either pneumatic divided in the center, or two individ-
ual pneumatics, in which case an air channel is cut in
the base of motor to one of the pneumatics.
In either case, six impulses occur in one revolu-
tion of crank shaft, thereby creating a steady power.
In a previous article I showed how a simple motor
operates, with a slide valve for every pneumatic.
Later on I will show how I made a motor without
friction or slide valves. It was somewhat compli-
cated, but worked well. I built it just to prove that it
could be done.
In the motor here discussed the plate shows:
No. 1. Pneumatic, which is divided into two
halves, 1A, IB.
No. 2. Power arm.
No. 3. Crank shaft.
No. 4. Bracket.
No. 5. Wire to slide valve.
No. 6. Valve.
No. 7. Countersunk air-way.
No. 8. To governor and bellows (pumping sys-
tem).
No. 9. Flange.
The guard wires, for slide valve, are not shown in
the drawing.
Compound Valve Motor.
In the position shown, the slide valve No. 6 is
about to start rising, No. 8 being connected to bel-
lows by way of governor, and, through passage No.
7, is withdrawing atmosphere through No. 12 out of
pneumatic No. IB, which is collapsing, transmitting
its power to the crank shaft. As valve rises, ports 11
and 12 are being closed.
As valve points Nos. 13 and 14 pass points on bot-
tom edges of air channels; they change from exhaust
to intake, and vice versa.
In this case No. 12 will change from exhaust to
intake, and the passage No. 11 will be in exhaust
position.
If you visualize movement of valve on its upward
movement, you will note that as crank shaft comes to
pass dead center, edge No. 13 just starts to pass edge
No. 13a, causing or letting just a small amount of
power to pass, and as dead center is passed, more
power is applied, or, opening No. 11 becomes larger
as valve moves upward.
Dead center is shown by dotted line.
Drawing is not to correct scale.
Three of these units compose a power plant of 6
points.
Other motors of six points (with 6 pneumatics)
are mostly operated by three valves, also ten point
motors, which are operated by five valves.
Double to Single System.
It pays to study up on all methods of construction,
even if the principles are the same. I recently had
occasion to change a double action to a single sys-
tem player action. In doing this it was necessary to
cut away the primary system. By merely removing
tube from primary, that led from the tracker, into
channel leading from primary valve to secondary dia-
phragm, I made connections to tracker. The vent I
put between the diaphragms.
One bad mistake the manufacturer had made was
in using leather washers for valve seats. These were
removed entirely, and wood seats were polished with
graphite, thereby making an air tight joint with valve
when it was closed.
I recently made over a similar system, the only
difference being that a metal primary seat was used.
It had an electric pumper, but to no avail. After
remodeling, everything worked well, in fact, so much
so that the power had to be diminished.
Let us hear of your troubles; we may be able
to help and advise you.
A NOTEWORTHY YEAR FOR
THE BRAMBACH PIADO CO
Vast Publicity and Opening of New Factory Marked
the Twelve Months Closing.
The year 1925 has been a noteworthy one in the
history of the Brambach Piano Company. Early in
the year, it witnessed the opening of the new Bram-
bach factory at 609-619 West 51st street, New York.
The new factory has increased production to enable
the dealer to take full advantage of the Brambach na-
tional advertising. It will take up the shortage of
Brambach Baby Grands in 10 years standing.
The advertising for the Brambach Baby Grand cre-
ated perhaps the strongest, most widely read pub-
licity campaign of any small grand this year. The
dominant note of the advertising has been quality at
moderate cost. Mark P. Campbell's own phrase,
"Large production of a quality instrument at lowest
possible cost," admirably sums up in few words the
Brambach policy.
The famous air journey of two Brambach Baby
Grands from New York to Washington, D. C, was
hailed by newspapers throughout the country as a
great achievement in aeronautics. This airplane flight
was the result of Mark Campbell's vision and energy.
Much prestige was added to the name Brambach
through the event. The flight was also made the sub-
ject of dealer advertising, which, coupled with a win-
dow display, was capitalized on by Brambach dealers
throughout the land.
Now that the year's activities are practically over,
the Brambach Piano Co. is occupied with plans for
1926. Of course, it is too early to say much about
that, but the company is making every effort to in-
ject new forcefulness into next year's national cam-
paign and doing everything possible to make Bram-
bach representation a better proposition than ever.
MORE ADVERTISING IS
BEHR BROS. KEYNOTE
Old New York Industry Makes Plans for an Increase
in Dealer Help.
After all it is the advertising of the dealer that gets
business. It is up to the retail piano merchant to be
a "go-getter" and dispose of his stocks.
With this in mind Behr Bros. & Company are pre-
paring an extensive series of dealers' helps in the form
of advertising and sales literature.
Prosperity is looming in the horizon for the coming
years. And Behr Bros. & Company intend that all of
their dealers be in a position to take advantage of
business that is sure to be had.
It is this, together with close co-operation and serv-
ice, that makes the Behr Bros, piano a line that is not
only easy to sell but a line that is a real pleasure and
good business to carry.
FRED MICHAELS' CHANGE.
Fred R. Michaels, for six years with the Chicago
sales force of Hammacher, Schlemmer & Company,
New York, has resigned to enter the life insurance
business. Mr. Michaels has a host of friends who
regret his leaving the piano business.
December 12, 1925.
NOW SWEAR OFF
PESSIMISM IN 1926
Legal Enactments Having Made Music Dealer,
with Others, More Perfect in Habits, Job
May Be Completed in Happy Manner
by Himself.
GLOOM IS BAD AD
Mood of Depression in Business Man Invariably Re-
acts Hurtfully on Everybody Else in Store, with
Disastrous Results in Sales.
The attitude of the dealer and his salesmen, the
manner in which they express their opinions of busi-
ness as it is, or their anticipations of the future trade,
have an influence on sales of a helpful or hurtful
kind, dependent upon the nature of their words. It
is an old saying that people will take you at your own
valuation. Even at that they whack off a big dis-
count on your estimate. The manner in which the
dealer answers the stereotyped question: "How's
business?" used as a polite greeting by a friend or
customer, may be worth money as good advertising
or may be suggestive of gloomy foreboding on the
part of the dealer.
Here is presented the thought of a good New Year
resolution. Compiling the list of swear-offs and
swear-ons for the first day of January is now in order
and a good one is here presented to the pessimis-
tically inclined:
Don't let your words for the year 1926 ever adver-
tise your doubt in the rewards for intelligent and well
sustained effort in your music business. It is not
alone the duty of the merchant to carry on, but to
carry on cheerfully as well.
Don't Show It.
Really depressing circumstances may warrant the
black mood, but do not express it in words. The
scarcity of money, the inability or unwillingness of
people to buy pianos, the unreasonableness of former
customers who go elsewhere in town or to the near-
by big city to buy, the constant rise in the prices of
goods, the worthlessness of employes are some of the
topics that may make the visitor to the store or cus-
tomer think up reasons why the dealer talks in that
vein. If there is no business then it is clear people
are not trading with the grumbling dealer. If there
is no business in the store what is the cause? Why
do customers go elsewhere?
Self Pity Is Foolish.
Self pity is the most futile of emotions. It is the
most foolish when expressed aloud. Cut it out.
Hold up your hand bright and early on January 1
and swear off the pessimistic line of conversation to
store visitors, customers, employes or your own
family.
There will be no trade and there ought not to be in
the store of the dealer who reacts pessimistically at
every disappointing circumstance. He sows doubts
when he voices his mental depression. The psychol-
ogy of selling is a broad subject. It deals not only
with words and actions but thoughts as well. Every-
body on the job is affected by the mood of the man-
ager. Animation in the boss is usually duplicated in
every member of the staff. If he is enthusiastic he
radiates the feeling in employes most potent for sales.
Gloom begets gloom and there is no feeling more dis-
astrous to business than that.
Now, Swear Off.
^ So bright and early on January 1 hold up your
right hand in the regulation way that adds weight
to your resolution and dignity to your words and
swear to put the padlock of silence on your tongue
when your thoughts are pessimistic. Don't swear you
will not feel depressed and pessimistic, which after all
may only be caused by a protesting stomach, but let
the swear-off be only against gloomy babbling.
There was a time when the swear-off was princi-
pally directed at spirituous aids to joy and trouble,
and the swear-off a declaration of occupation of a
seat on the waterwagon. These are old musty
pledges; memories.
But you can yet swear off in an effective way.
Solemnly promise to cut out your pessimistic grouch-
ing at business through 365 days of 1926.
TONKBENCH ORDERS BIG.
The Tonk Manufacturing Co., Chicago, makers of
fine piano benches, report great stimulation in the
orders for Tonkbenches. The "Do Your Buying
Early" advice in Tonk Topics, the clever little house
organ of the company, certainly is having desirable
results. The articles was written at a time when
such a reminder for the Tonkbench buyer was in
order—about September 1.
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