How I had my vacuum pump installed in my player piano

[@vhm14u2c]

Thanks for sharing this as I was wondering where to drill hole for vacuum. I plan on using rheostat for motor control and I also bought a vacuum pressure meter. From what I read vacuum for rewind should be about 20, and play about 50, and max only 70 unless parts will start breaking prematurely. I used to have a quiet vacuum motor from a Hoover upright back in the 70s. I don’t think I kept it. If I did, it’s in my basement or garage somewhere.

[@PiotrBarcz]

Yeah, I usually set the suction bleed depending on the roll tempo. This piano can play SUPER loud but I really don't feel like putting a whole lot of strain on the pneumatics which some have come loose in the past. If your piano is tight then you have to watch it because the motor could overheat from not having enough air moving through it and would need to be run at very low suction.

[@okbridges]

Nice installation, who's kit is that? That check valve box that is mounted to the reservoir looks like a nicely made part.

[@PiotrBarcz]

I didn't get this as an official kit, my piano technician had the old box and an old motor that was too small. He had modified the box to fit the motor that I have since replaced with a bigger and nicer Lamb Electric motor.

[@PiotrBarcz]

BTW thanks for subbing to my channel! Are you restoring your old Kohler & Campbell?

[@okbridges]

@@PiotrBarcz That is my plan though I haven't started yet. I intend to do as much of the work myself. I want to buy a player action (probably off ebay) to practice on before working on the actual action in the piano. I have a nice plate of glass for rebuilding the striker pneumatics on that was left over from a clock restoration project. I just need to get or make a glue pot. Great to see your Francis Bacon made it to Poland OK. Have you done or had done any restoration work on it? I noticed some of your bellows cloth looks newer, and your pumping is very relaxed. It is a good sounding piano.

[@PiotrBarcz]

@@okbridges I actually did have 2 piano techs come in to help me fix the pumps, the wind motor, add the vacuum motor, and fix some dead strikers. I also had it tuned so that helped a lot. The tracker was re-covered with new burgundy cloth that i think looks great and is a nice touch to general greyness of the inside of the piano.

[@dangerousnoodle3730]

Do you know where to get a cheap vacuum box

[@PiotrBarcz]

You can actually just build a box the right size, get the 70 buck lamb electric motor and then you would be all set.

[@sombrerolord6095]

GO ON GRETA

[@sombrerolord6095]

whats your opinion on greta thunberg

[@PiotrBarcz]

@@sombrerolord6095 I think she's really doing a good job of bashing those dirty politicians around. I support her and the rest of the people who work with her.

[@sombrerolord6095]

@@PiotrBarcz thats good i support you

[@HMV163]

These vacuum pumps will slowly wear out your pneumatic system since they don't react like a human "pumper" would to slow down pumping when the pedal restistance gets harder...this pump just continues to create a vacuum which is sometims too high for the valves and pneumatics.

[@PiotrBarcz]

I just got a new pump and I have it set with a dimmer style switch. It's really hard to get a good suction level as my stack does not play very evenly (the mid range plats well but get's quieter as you go into the treble).

[@HMV163]

@@PiotrBarcz A suction pump only covers the need of a Restauration of your system and the pump will slowly cause more damage to the system. I have seen that too many times.

[@HMV163]

@@PiotrBarcz Problem is that a roll does not need a vacuum of a constant level ( depends how many notes are played at the same time or over time. So normally the human player reacts with faster or slower pumping the pedals depending on the need of the system. The suction pump is dumb and creates the same vacuum independently of the system's need causing often a vacuum force for the player parts which they are not designed for.

[@PiotrBarcz]

@@HMV163 I agree with that, though like i said, if the stack played all the notes with the same intensity then I could set the pump as low as I can go on a high speed roll and then leave it. The suction difference wouldn't be really a problem then but I have to set it higher because the treble notes are stiff (stupid treble).