Bridal Straps Married

[JIMRPT@AOL.COM]

Et Al;
 This thread on Bridle straps is kinda like the threads on pinblock bedding 
or pin setting or plate bolts. That is to say if we 'think' it works then it 
will 'work' at least as far as we are concerned...................... :-)

 One of the ancillary beenfits from bridle straps is that the repetition of a 
given hammer will be more 'positive' with bridle strap, properly regulated, 
attached. That having been said the main 'design function' of the bridle is 
simply to keep the jacks from falling under the butt felts and making 
reinstallation of an upright action problematical.

  'Properly' pinned an upright hammer will play perfectly fine without a 
bridle, although 'absolute' speed of repetition will be  increased with a 
bridle attached. The main return impetus is on the hammer spring and the 
offset position of the hammer when in check.  Added weight from the bridle 
and a slight (milli sec, as per J. Ellis) tug as the bridle tries to 
staighten out while the  whip is falling aids in the repetition speed.

 If the bridle is 'depended' on for repetition there is a problem elsewhere, 
such as a tight centerpin, weak or broken hammer spring, rubbing hammer, etc. 
.
To illustrate the "ancillary" role of the bridle, select one hammer on a 
vertical, piano or model action, make sure the pinning is correct and then 
regulate the bridle wire so that when the hammer rail is in the correct 
raised position the key will 'wink' when any aditional pressure is placed on 
the hammer rail. This will give you a very workable regulation of the bridle.

 Now remove the hammer return spring from the hammer and observe the action 
of the hammer when returning with only the bridle attached.......you should 
find that the motion is rather jerky..........
  Now remove the bridle and adjust the hammer return spring so that there 
will be a 'slight' positive pressure on the hammer butt when the hammer is at 
rest and observe the action of the hammmer when returning with only the 
spring attached........you should see a much smoother return than observed 
from the bridle alone.
 Now attach the bridle and you should see that the return action is both 
smooth and positive while not being in the least jerky.

 Can you make a bridle 'force' the return of the hammer? Yes 
but............that is not its primary function and so doing will tend to 
hide other action/pinning problems.
 Can you make a hammer return spring do all the work of 'positive' hammer 
return? Yes but..........you will pay a touchweight penalty for doing so.
 So what is the answer? In my opinion 1. Proper pinning 2. Proper Regulation 
of bridle. 3. Acceptance of the ancillary benefits to be derived from the 
bridle even while it performs a different and unrelated function without 
causing a touch weight penalty.
My View.
Jim Bryant (FL)