sluggish hammers on spinet

[JCSwafford@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 6/22/00 2:44:46 PM Central Daylight Time, 
Pianogreig@AOL.COM writes:

<< I've never before encountered a spinet (in this case a 1963 W****T***) 
with 
 all hammers so sluggish that moving them toward the strings by hand results 
 in many floating back to rest & many at the extreme ends just staying at the 
 string.  Protek on hammer flanges showed little or no result; key bushings 
 are not binding; strengthening return springs also had little effect.  Piano 
 was not played or tuned for about 10 years. Any suggestions - aside from 
 replacing it with a decent piano? (owner says it really has a beautiful 
tone, 
 of course). >>
 
<<Bruce,

My suggestion - Apply 50/50 alchohol/water solution in applicator bottle to 
flange bushing cloth. Take aim and zip the solution across the span of the 
butts in 3 seconds or less. Drape a blanket over action out of piano and put 
one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, 
etc., hairdryers under the "tent." Check intermittently for results and don't 
leave them running for too long with the action unchecked. Your actual time 
involvement in the project should be 10 minutes or so. This is sooooo easy. 
Any numskull can do it.

Joel Swafford
<<
In a message dated 6/23/00 11:55:12 AM Central Daylight Time, ilvey@jps.net 
writes:

<< I have had problems with centers becoming too loose with this approach.  My
 problem with it is I don't seem to have any control over what is going to
 happen.  I think 50% water is too high!
 
 David I.
  >>
David,

I think the trick is to quickly brush over the bushings and not over douse 
them i.e. regardless of the mixture content only the amount of solution you 
apply will get into the felt. What is important is to get enough alcohol in 
the solution to get enough water into the felt in the shortest period of time.

Another important precaution is to not over dry the bushings or the action 
parts. So checking the progress every minute or so is a must. You are done 
when the parts move at a certain level of freeness that can be determined 
from your experience, expertise and judgment.

The action screws are going to need to be tightened of course and I think 
following up with a lubricant and a climate control system in the piano is 
very smart. 

Joel