I have had some very useful and informative answers to my query about
removing old animal glue.  Largely, the advice boils down to: don't
sand, use plenty of water, scrape off the swollen glue, and dry quick-
ly.  I am pleased to say that is more or less what I have been doing.

I recall seeing in a book on rebuilding players, that was published
ages ago, a drawing of a bench-mounted belt sander being used to remove
glue from the edges of a striking pneumatic.  It struck me then that
this was something I did not want to do.  I think belt sanders are
quite scary, with a voracious appetite for fingertips.

I think I've thanked all my respondents individually, but I do so again
here, just in case.  And I had better check up on where my MMD sub-
scription (i.e. contribution) stands.

John Phillips
Hobart, Tasmania