Laser Level for Bench Regulation

[ed440 at mindspring.com]

Conrad-

Obviously you cannot set a curved line with the laser. That's one reason why I didn't suggest using it for key leveling.  The second is that it probably doesn't give a clear signal to .002"  The third is that I just didn't have a chance to try it anyway.

For setting let off in pianos with uneven string planes, final regulation is required in the piano (a good idea in all cases). This is true of all straight edges used for setting let off.  That's why I wrote "For some pianos it could perhaps also gauge let off and drop."

To set hammer line, align the laser, then flip all hammers up, flip down the hammer furthest from the laser, set the capstan height. Then the next hammer, etc.  The advantage is that you don't need to crane your neck to keep your line of vision in a constant position relative to a reference straight edge.  For my aching back, that is a big advantage.  If you've bored the hammers to match a curved string plane, align the laser to the shanks.

For checking height consider that you will only need to press down one key at a time (if you have been using the hand-full-of-notes-comparison method) and there will be no reference rail to be reached around or moved out of the way if that was your method.  You can actually reach through the light beam with your hand and bend the back check!

The laser is faster.

For $15 you can try it and have another tool...it's a no-brainer...isn't it?

Ed Sutton


>A couple of questions:
>How would one use a laser to set key "level" on a Steinway to get that 
>higher-in-the-middle line?
>How would you set up for string planes which are uneven and unlevel?


-----Original Message-----
>From: Conrad Hoffsommer <hoffsoco at luther.edu>
>Sent: Oct 16, 2006 6:20 AM
>To: ed440 at mindspring.com, Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
>Subject: Re: Laser Level for Bench Regulation
>
>At 09:24 PM 10/15/2006 -0400, you wrote:
>>Is anyone out there using a laser level for bench regulating?
>>This afternoon I bought a Gen-Tech Laser Level from Harbor Freight ($14.99)
>>The laser rotates to send a horizontal or vertical plane of light, very 
>>useful.
>>By setting it on some wood scraps and shimming with cards I could easily 
>>align it to first and last sample hammers in a section. It was very 
>>convenient for setting hammer line and back checks.  For some pianos it 
>>could perhaps also gauge let off and drop.
>>Ed Sutton
>
>A couple of questions:
>How would one use a laser to set key "level" on a Steinway to get that 
>higher-in-the-middle line?
>How would you set up for string planes which are uneven and unlevel?
>
>>You're getting pretty hi-tech there. I just do it the old-fashioned way!
>>Of course, I'm an old fart, too! :-D
>>
>>Avery
>
>Not trying to be a Luddite, either, but:
>The old-fashioned way is faster and waaaaay cheaper.
>(In my most humble and old phardted opinion...) ;-}
>
>
>
>Conrad Hoffsommer
>
>There comes a time in every man's life and I've had plenty of them.
>-Casey Stengel
>