I have been using the Ampico tracker bar pump for quite awhile, and
it does a decent job.  I was still having issues with my tracker bar
getting plugged up with dust and dirt from all the old rolls.  I have
extra long tubing due to the position of the Ampico being further back
in the piano.  Several people suggested using the crevice tool that
comes with your vacuum cleaner.  That works fine, but it was still not
enough to take care of my situation.

While at Sears, I found what I believe to be a superior cleaning method
for the tracker bar, the Sears Craftsman "Micro Cleaning Kit", cat. no.
17493 (there is a small "9" before the "1").  The cost is about $4-$6.

It's a kit for small detail cleaning that fits over your 1-1/4-inch
diameter vacuum hose.  There are 5 pieces, including a brush, curved
wand, round brush, oval brush, and a 1-1/4-inch Adapter.  The adapter
is what I am using, as it concentrates the suction of the vacuum down
to a small hole that sits perfectly over the holes in the tracker bar.

I tried several of the other pieces, but because they are so small,
the suction was not as good as it was with just the adapter.  You
simply grasp the bottom of the adapter with your thumb and first finger
right where it meets the tracker bar, you then pass it slowly over each
hole in the tracker bar, angling it so it has the most suction as you
go.  By using your thumb and finger, you make an even better seal.

On a second pass, I move the adapter slightly up and down very quickly,
(it makes quite a noise) which creates a more turbulent type of suction
that seems to work really well.  I have been able to clean some plugged
up intensity holes using this method, whereas the Ampico tracker pump
and the crevice device did not work.

Incidentally, the other five attachments are excellent for cleaning out
the Ampico drawer and they have many other household uses where you
need a small tool to get to the dust.  Happy tracker bar cleaning!

John Del Carlo

 [ See also "Vacuum Cleaner vs. Tracker Bar Pump" indexed at
 [ http://www.mmdigest.com/Archives/KWIC/T/tracker.html  -- Robbie