Stranger Buzz Musings

[David ilvedson]

Susan,

I thought we were way beyond graphite in piano work as 
technicians.  Why bother with Micro Talc for Spurlock?

David Ilvedson, RPT

Date sent:      	Sun, 14 Nov 1999 15:36:13 -0800
To:             	pianotech@ptg.org
From:           	Susan Kline <skline@proaxis.com>
Subject:        	Re: Stranger Buzz Musings
Send reply to:  	pianotech@ptg.org

> At 03:18 PM 11/14/1999 -0700, Bob Anderson wrote:
> >Susan Kline wrote:
> >
> >"I use a 6B (very soft) pencil to rub across the contact area, where the
> >glides have made marks."
> >
> >I would like to cast a vote (or as many votes as I can) against this
> >solution. Even though it can stop a noise, the side effects can be
> >worse than the problem (in my experience.) I have gotten graphite on my
> >hands and clothes because of this. (Fortunately, I've managed to avoid
> >getting it on a customer's carpet.) I assume that Susan is very careful,
> >but some technician's have not been careful. It's possible to play with
> >fire without getting burnt. But I think it's safer to warn against using
> >graphite for this application.
> >
> >Before resorting to lubrication, it is worth checking the glides for
> >tightness and proper height. I have found that glides that are loose in
> >the keyframe can cause noise, as well as glides that exert too much
> >pressure against the keybed.
> 
> I agree that it's good to check the keybedding.
> 
> What I don't see is how the graphite got all over the place. Maybe if I 
> knew what Bob did to spread it around, I would agree. I take a normal 
> drawing pencil (not a graphite stick) and mark on only the area where the 
> glide contacts, not the whole hardwood insert. The marks are a third of an 
> inch long, less wide, and I don't press hard enough that the pencil lead 
> gets powdered.
> 
> I have far more anxiety over black mess from the graphite in tallow which 
> older generations have smeared around various places on the keybed and 
> trapwork. When I pull a grand action, I spread a sheet or newspaper where 
> it's going to rest. My hands become a mess when I'm fiddling with old 
> trapwork, but I find it washes off pretty well using a little dish 
> detergent at the customer's kitchen sink.
> 
> However, if you find that graphite gets all over the place, by all means 
> forego it. Only, I hope that doesn't mean that people will go and put 
> greasy stuff in its place.
> 
> Susan Kline
> 
> 
> 


David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA
ilvey@jps.net