[CAUT] Loose Capstans

Ken Zahringer ZahringerK@missouri.edu
Mon, 09 May 2005 16:02:00 -0500


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I encountered a new phenomenon the other day.  One of the piano faculty tol=
d
me one note on his 1920=B9s vintage Steinway wasn=B9t working, so I went to
check it out.  When I pulled the action, I saw that the offending hammer wa=
s
sitting all the way down on the cushion.  After eliminating all the causes =
I
could think of, I started adjusting the capstan.  The capstan was extremely
loose =AD it took almost no force to turn it.  The threads were still intact,
but it was so loose that apparently the impact of playing caused the capsta=
n
to screw itself down into the key.  There were one or two other keys where
the hammers had sagged almost as much, but were still functional.  A quick
survey indicated that the whole keyboard probably needs attention.

Anyone have any experience with this sort of thing?  I=B9m thinking of maybe
West System epoxy or Webb Phillips=B9 Wood Rebuilder, but then again, I do
have a bottle of Garfields Pinblock Restorer around here somewhere. :-)  I
don=B9t know what the long term effects on future adjustments might be of any
particular fix.  Just don=B9t suggest CA glue.  The last time I used that
stuff my sinuses were plugged solid for a week.

Thanks,
Ken Z.
--=20
Ken Zahringer, RPT
Piano Technician
University of Missouri School of Music
297 Fine Arts Bldg
Columbia, MO 65211
573-882-1202
cell 573-489-7529


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