Baldwin Hamilton butts and backchecks

[Bdshull@AOL.COM]

Paul:

Bill Spurlock wrote an excellent piece on this in the Journal sometime in the 
early 90's, I think.  I used to soak all the catcher leather and peel it off 
(easy), then remove the butts from the action and cut off the buckskin with a 
knife (time consuming).  Hammer butt removal requires spacing the hammers to 
the strings on reinstallation.  Even with help in the shop, there is a better 
way.

Bill's method involves removing the dampers, the spring and hammer rest 
rails;  soaking and removing the catcher material, and cutting off the butt 
buckskin in situ.  Damper removal allows you to swing the hammers forward to 
remove the butt leather.  Once the leather is removed from the upper glue 
spot (lever a small knife against the catcher to peel it off), you can make a 
cut above and below the leather at the kerf, and the piece will easily pull 
off.  If the cuts are made cleanly, the slot is ready for the new buckskin.  
Be sure to clean up any remaining buckskin.  For replacement, use either real 
buckskin from Renner/etc., or the precut Baldwin supplied synthetic material 
- it is good stuff, not like the pre-'85 material.  Baldwin may send it to 
you at no cost - they used to, and provide a small subsidy for in-warranty 
pianos.  

Baldwin supplied CA glue at one time, and it works OK.  Hot hide glue is 
great.  Of course, anytime buckskin is replaced it is hard to achieve good 
appearance, but the performance is very much improved.

Bill Shull
University of Redlands, La Sierra University