-----Original Message----- <Snip> Yes flanges shrink. When I restore a piano with all new flanges, which is most of them I go out in one year to tighten all the screws as flanges will shrink and loosen. It is my common practice. The damp chaser seems to amplify the problem exponentially. D.L. Bullock www.thepianoworld.com St. Louis D.L., Respectfully I disagree. The new flange will expand against the screw in high humidity and crush the fibers under the head. When humidity drops the flange recedes from the screw head. It is the fluctuation in humidity that causes this, not just a lack of humidity. Yes, system or not new flanges will be loose in one year, but I contend less so with a properly installed climate control system in place. That is unless they are near the firewall----- Those suckers get hot! Tom Driscoll
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC