Easing Grand Damper rail bushings

[llafargue]

Fred, Elwood,
>>>I have rarely seen....
That's likely because it is relatively dry where you are.  I see them
tight all the time.  I would look at the earlier discussion last week on
the Steinway ringing problem. I would closely look at underlevers.
Also, easing the guiderail with a heated bridge pin will iron/size the
bushings if needed.  I would also refer you to past Spurlock articles on
guiderail rebushing where he discusses pin sizes to use, etc. 
>>> In fact, I have considered (but haven't got around to) installing an
umbrella tool 
in a small length of brass rod for use in the same soldering iron. 

I use my key bushing sizing/easing tool and chuck the pin in a rod of
brass.  It can burn the damper heads if not careful - ask how I know.  ;
)   I have seen one made to use from underneath, which will be my next
idea to try.  

Elwood, probably a combination of tightness in underlevers, need for
lubricants, wire bending, and easing guiderail should all be looked at.
It's important that the suggestion to grind down the umbrella tool to a
very sharp point be done.  

Lance Lafargue, RPT
LAFARGUE PIANOS
New Orleans Chapter, PTG
985.72P.IANO
llafargue@charter.net
 

-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of
fssturm@unm.edu
Sent: Monday, March 22, 2004 7:50 PM
To: edoss@utm.edu; College and University Technicians
Subject: Re: Easing Grand Damper rail bushings

Hi Elwood,
   I have rarely seen a new (or old, come to think of it) Steinway that
needed its 
guiderail bushings eased. At least if they were factory installed
(rebuilds are 
another story). Usually if there is friction, it is because of too much
bearing of the 
wire against the bushing. Steinway regulates to have the wire bear
against one 
side of the bushing to give the damper more stability (IOW, it is
"flopping around" 
less, hence will damp better). Sometimes the bend is too big, and the
bearing 
really causes excess friction.
   But the tool you describe is the tool of choice, for easing bushings
while the 
dampers are installed. It helps a great deal to take a file or grinder
to the tool 
and reduce its thickness to nothing at the tip. And in use, heat it with
a match or 
lighter. The effect is similar to the key bushing easing cauls (brass
cauls in a 
heat controlled soldering iron). The tool doesn't work very well at all
when not 
heated. More likely to push the bushing out. 
   In fact, I have considered (but haven't got around to) installing an
umbrella tool 
in a small length of brass rod for use in the same soldering iron.
Mostly for use 
with cheap imported grands, where the binding bushing is the norm. With 
dampers uninstalled, a similar device with the approriate diameter
bridge pin (or 
other corretly dimensioned stock) works well to pre-size the bushings (a
lot 
faster than installing pins in the bushings, then soaking with a
shrinking 
solution).
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico

Quoting Elwood Doss <edoss@utm.edu>:

> Hey Guys,
> Any suggestions on the best tool for easing grand damper rail
> bushings?
> Schaff has a "Grand Damper Wire Easer" but I didn't know if there was
> a
> better product on the market or not.  I'm working on a 7' Steinway.
> Thanks,
> Joy!
> Elwood
> 
> Elwood Doss, Jr., R.P.T.
> Piano Technician/Technical Director
> Department of Music
> 106 Fine Arts Building
> University of Tennessee at Martin
> 731/587-1152
> 
> _______________________________________________
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