When I started rebuilding player actions, in 1957, I used Rogers'
Liquid Fish Glue as recommended at the time by Tuners' Supply
Company of Somerville (Boston 45), Massachusetts, for use with their
pneumatic cloths.  It was easy to use, but because of the slow drying
time I devised a method of applying slight pressure to each side of
a pneumatic, allowing the glue to dry before going on to the next side.
I even built a jig that would apply pressure to the ends of 22 striker
pneumatics at a time.  This enabled me to do high-quality work with
the poorer quality and too thick materials sold back then.

When player pianos began their comeback in the late 'fifties, most
went into basement "recreation rooms", usually with a bar at one end,
and no dehumidifier to handle summer dampness.  The fish glue and the
liquid hide glue tended to soften during warm, damp weather.  I had
an Autopiano reservoir actually pop open because the softened glue
was no match for the constant spring tension inside.  Since then, for
attaching cotton cloth, leather and felt to wood, I have used the hot
hide glue exclusively with no bad results.  I still use the jig because,
even with the hot glue, it's faster and makes for a better job.

Jeffrey R. Wood