Dear Members,  After reading the digest for about a month and contribu-
ting info where I felt I may have some insight, may I offer some general
advice to first time player rebuilders.  This is by no means an attempt
to dissuade anyone from asking for technical help.  These are simply some
methods I use to save kicking myself later.

Before tearing into a rebuild job invest in a good instant camera and
take pictures.  This can verify, sometimes weeks or months later, where
that tube went, etc.  It's amazing how often you forget the things you
are sure, at the time, you'll remember.  Anytime I rebuild a player that
is significantly different from the common, I make my own tubing diagram.
Using colored pencils keeps the diagram easy to follow when re-tubing.
Often even when a lot of tubing has decayed and fallen apart, enough is
left to do a nearly complete drawing.

I organize and label all sets of screws and fittings.  Zip-lock snack
bags and margarine tubs with masking tape labels work well for this.
These are usually labeled specifically (e.g., pouch board screws) or
sometimes generally for those elbows, Tee's, etc., that have fallen off
with old tubing (e.g., bottom of piano).  Always visually inspect tubing
connectors as you remove them to see if they contain a bleed (particu-
larly in reproducers).  Make a note of this on your diagram.

Make a penciled register line on any multiple-layered parts before taking
them apart.  Keep your markings as small and discreet as possible but
still legible.  A 'T' (treble) or 'B' (bass) indication is also helpful
on some parts.  Keep multiple, seemingly identical parts in order and in
the same orientation.  Just because they look alike doesn't mean they
are.

Finally, many tubing diagrams and service manuals for specific instru-
ments are available through piano supply companies and Player Piano Co.
Some are better than others, some players are slightly different from the
written material on them, but the more prepared you are the more
rewarding your rebuild will be.  Arthur Reblitz's Player Piano Servicing
and Rebuilding is an excellent book.

Hope this helps.  I'm sure other techs have some great shop tips, too.
MMD is a valuable resource.

Best to all,  Debbie Legg