Hello MMD.  A couple of days ago I had my first look at an Aeolian
cross valve (well, 176 of them) as I started to pull apart the upper
player action in my 1919 Steck Duo-Art upright.  My player rebuilding
mate, Jim, had come around and suggested that we dismantle a couple
of the valves to assess their condition.  We did, and he said to me,
"If I were you, I wouldn't touch them; they look to be in perfect
condition."

Certainly, the valve seats are bright and shiny, with no obvious
corrosion, and the leather facings look beautifully smooth.  It is
very tempting to take his advice.

However, I wonder if the correct valve travel for cross valves is the
same as that for round valves, that is, 0.035" ?  I have done a straw
poll (with one straw) and measured a travel of 0.041".  Would anyone
care to comment on that?

John Phillips in Hobart, Tasmania