I've assembled and installed a mandolin rail kit from Player Piano
Company in my upright player.  It has a cabled remote control installed
underneath the keybed used to lower and raise the rail.

The remote is incredibly hard to operate, particularly when attempting
to raise the rail.  Most times it sticks, and I have to open the piano
lid to "help" the rail up manually.  The remote is a solid wire
sheathed inside of a coiled wire, like a throttle cable on an old
lawnmower.  The remote control cable as installed is a straight,
smooth, shallow curve from under the keybed up to the top of the piano
-- no kinks or tight turns.

I believe I need to take the cable assembly out of the piano and
lubricate it somehow, but have been reluctant to do so, fearing oil
may drip onto the piano wood weeks after I'm done (remember this is a
coiled-spring sheath -- there's no way I could wipe it all clean after
applying oil).

I've considered using powdered graphite, but didn't think it would
penetrate the tight coils of the remote's sheath.  Perhaps I should
remove the inner wire and grease it, but I'm not sure I'd be able to
get it all the way back through the sheath.

If any one's fixed or lubricated such a mechanism, I'd like to hear any
advice you might offer.  Thanks!

Rick Inzero, Rochester, NY, rdi@cci.com

 [ A thin line of woven nylon or steel can run inside nylon tubing;
 [ this is a fine remote control for an application that only needs
 [ to pull.  For example, the mandolin rail could be balanced with a
 [ counterweight and/or spring, such that only a modest force is needed
 [ to pull it down.  For ideas, examine the sheath and cable on autos
 [ which opens the little door for the gasoline tank filler.  -- Robbie