regulating tool for renner jacks??

[Dave Nereson]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <Piannaman@aol.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 20, 2003 5:20 PM
Subject: regulating tool for renner jacks??


> Hi all,
> 
> A couple of days ago, I had to replace a whippen in a grand piano that has a 
> Renner action.  I installed it and regulated it--except for the position of 
> the jack under the knuckle.  Try as I might, I could not get my regulating tool 
> between the let-off dowels.  I tried from every position and angle, but I 
> could not get the thing in there to turn the button.  
> 
> I checked the RennerUSA website, and they sell a tool for regulating jacks 
> and rep lever height, but the blade does not seem small enough to fit between 
> the dowels.  Hard to tell from the picture, though.  Does anyone have experience 
> using this tool with this action?  
> 
> Much thanks in advance
> 
> Dave Stahl
> 

    I just took a "regular ol'" grand jack regulating tool and ground the shank down to a narrower diameter right where it has to fit between let-off buttons.  Be careful not to overheat it, so it doesn't lose the temper (it may not have any, but just in case. . . ).  And grind just thin enough for it to fit.  If you go too far, it might break in two or bend.  That's the cheap solution.  Probably easier to just buy one (but when I made mine, I don't think they were available, except real expensive ones from Yamaha).  _Dave Nereson, RPT