Hi everyone,
I'm a relatively new piano tuner (full time for about six months.)
I tuned a 5 year old upright Yang Chung this morning.The woman hasn't played it very much.
There were many "stickey keys." Whatever I tried did not work (I'm still learning repairs with my teacher.)
I would appreciate any suggestions on how to "unstick" the keys.
Thanks.
Joe Rosenberg
----- Original Message ----
From: "pianotech-request at ptg.org" <pianotech-request at ptg.org>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 1:36:08 AM
Subject: Pianotech Digest, Vol 1280, Issue 59
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than "Re: Contents of Pianotech digest..."
Today's Topics:
1. New Hammers on Old Piano /Antares (Ric Brekne)
2. Former president Sid Stone (Steve Blasyak)
3. Re: OT Key buttons (firmin1)
4. Laser Level for Bench Regulation (ed440 at mindspring.com)
5. Re: Former president Sid Stone (John Ross)
6. Re: OT Key buttons (John Ross)
7. Re: OT Key buttons (John Ross)
8. Re: Laser Level for Bench Regulation (richard.ucci at att.net)
9. Re: Former president Sid Stone (Avery)
10. Re: Laser Level for Bench Regulation (Cy Shuster)
11. Re: Laser Level for Bench Regulation (Avery)
12. Re: Former president Sid Stone (Thomas Cole)
13. RE: Looking for specific caul (Isaac Sadigursky)
14. RE: Antique Pianos (Richard Moody)
Hey !!! Look who drops in for a visit ! Hi there my friend !
Cheers
RicB
I just happen to take a glance at pianotech, and what do I see?
They are still talking about hammers......
Apparently an issue one never gets tired of.......
OOR
Greetings from not so Sunny... but warm So. Cal.
This is not piano or PTG related, it is more of a personal notice to the tech list readers. Our former president and dear friend to anyone who knows him Sid Stone is prominently displayed on the front page of the Orange County Register this morning (10/15). Unfortunately the article has nothing to do with piano work or the PTG. The topic is eminent domain. Not to get into politics but a proposition restricting eminent domain powers will be on the ballot in California next month. Apparently Sid and his family were the (victims) of a Caltrans acquisitions some 35 years ago.
Well it's a sad story but anyone interested can read it online at OCREGESTER.COM.
Steve Blasyak
atuneforyou at earthlink.net
EarthLink Revolves Around You.
Thanks for all the tips. I just bought a bandsaw for that purpose. I plan to
use hot glue, so the waiting will be a bit longer between buttons. I have
the Jaras jig, too. I am a stickler for hot glue, as that is all I have ever
used, for 25 years now, and I am so used to it.
So, I'll rough cut with band saw, then try to get more flush with band saw
after gluing, then use a block plane..
Thanks!
Berley Firmin II
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
What is a Caltrans acquisition.
I tried logging on to the site, but didn't know where to go.
Would it be possible, to send the actual site for the page, please?
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca
----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Blasyak
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 9:35 PM
Subject: Former president Sid Stone
Greetings from not so Sunny... but warm So. Cal.
This is not piano or PTG related, it is more of a personal notice to the tech list readers. Our former president and dear friend to anyone who knows him Sid Stone is prominently displayed on the front page of the Orange County Register this morning (10/15). Unfortunately the article has nothing to do with piano work or the PTG. The topic is eminent domain. Not to get into politics but a proposition restricting eminent domain powers will be on the ballot in California next month. Apparently Sid and his family were the (victims) of a Caltrans acquisitions some 35 years ago.
Well it's a sad story but anyone interested can read it online at OCREGESTER.COM.
Steve Blasyak
atuneforyou at earthlink.net
EarthLink Revolves Around You.
When you say hot glue, I hope you mean hide glue, heated in a pot, and not
that stuff that comes in sticks.
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca
----- Original Message -----
From: "firmin1" <firmin1 at bellsouth.net>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 9:12 PM
Subject: Re: OT Key buttons
> Thanks for all the tips. I just bought a bandsaw for that purpose. I plan
> to use hot glue, so the waiting will be a bit longer between buttons. I
> have the Jaras jig, too. I am a stickler for hot glue, as that is all I
> have ever used, for 25 years now, and I am so used to it.
> So, I'll rough cut with band saw, then try to get more flush with band saw
> after gluing, then use a block plane..
> Thanks!
> Berley Firmin II
>
Oh and rather than a block plain, after sawing, I use a belt sander. The one
inch one on a machine, with a plate.
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca
----- Original Message -----
From: "firmin1" <firmin1 at bellsouth.net>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 9:12 PM
Subject: Re: OT Key buttons
> Thanks for all the tips. I just bought a bandsaw for that purpose. I plan
> to use hot glue, so the waiting will be a bit longer between buttons. I
> have the Jaras jig, too. I am a stickler for hot glue, as that is all I
> have ever used, for 25 years now, and I am so used to it.
> So, I'll rough cut with band saw, then try to get more flush with band saw
> after gluing, then use a block plane..
> Thanks!
> Berley Firmin II
>
How about key leveling?
-------------- Original message from ed440 at mindspring.com: --------------
> 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
John,
I tried also and couldn't find it. Is there an actual link??????
Avery
At 08:40 PM 10/15/2006, you wrote:
What is a Caltrans acquisition.
I tried logging on to the site, but didn't know where to go.
Would it be possible, to send the actual site for the page, please?
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca
----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Blasyak
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 9:35 PM
Subject: Former president Sid Stone
Greetings from not so Sunny... but warm So. Cal.
This is not piano or PTG related, it is more of a personal notice to the tech list readers. Our former president and dear friend to anyone who knows him Sid Stone is prominently displayed on the front page of the Orange County Register this morning (10/15). Unfortunately the article has nothing to do with piano work or the PTG. The topic is eminent domain. Not to get into politics but a proposition restricting eminent domain powers will be on the ballot in California next month. Apparently Sid and his family were the (victims) of a Caltrans acquisitions some 35 years ago.
Well it's a sad story but anyone interested can read it online at OCREGESTER.COM.
Steve Blasyak
atuneforyou at earthlink.net
EarthLink Revolves Around You.
I've tried it, with a horizontal beam. It's not that useful; the highest key blocks the beam for the rest of the keyboard.
--Cy--
----- Original Message -----
From: richard.ucci at att.net
To: ed440 at mindspring.com ; Pianotech List
Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 7:53 PM
Subject: Re: Laser Level for Bench Regulation
How about key leveling?
-------------- Original message from ed440 at mindspring.com: --------------
> 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
Hey Ed.
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
At 08:24 PM 10/15/2006, 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
Go to: http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/investigations/caltrans2006/article_1311897.php
Tom Cole
Avery wrote:
John,
I tried also and couldn't find it. Is there an actual link??????
Avery
At 08:40 PM 10/15/2006, you wrote:
What is a Caltrans acquisition.
I tried logging on to the site, but didn't know where to go.
Would it be possible, to send the actual site for the page, please?
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca
----- Original Message -----
From: Steve Blasyak
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 9:35 PM
Subject: Former president Sid Stone
Greetings from not so Sunny... but warm So. Cal.
This is not piano or PTG related, it is more of a personal notice to the tech list readers. Our former president and dear friend to anyone who knows him Sid Stone is prominently displayed on the front page of the Orange County Register this morning (10/15). Unfortunately the article has nothing to do with piano work or the PTG. The topic is eminent domain. Not to get into politics but a proposition restricting eminent domain powers will be on the ballot in California next month. Apparently Sid and his family were the (victims) of a Caltrans acquisitions some 35 years ago.
Well it's a sad story but anyone interested can read it online at OCREGESTER.COM.
Steve Blasyak
atuneforyou at earthlink.net
EarthLink Revolves Around You.
Hi,Geoff! I have a few dozen of those aluminum cauls.I’m still a strong proponent of Bill Spurlocks system and plastic-nylon ones.Those aluminum ones dull knifes or razor blades quickly..
I got mine from a retiring technician a few years back.. Hope,it helps.. Isaac
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Geoff Sykes
Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 11:49 AM
To: Pianotech at Ptg. Org
Subject: Looking for specific caul
Greetings listers --
Attached is a photo of an aluminum balance rail caul that I recently had the pleasure of using. This is not half of a two step caul system. It is designed for single step caul bushing of the balance rail. (The one in the photo is stamped .147.) The owner has four sets, all in single step caul sizes. The problem is that she has had them long enough that she does not remember where she purchased them, and I cannot find them in any catalog, nor can I find any other technician that recognizes them. Does anyone recognize this caul, and perhaps know from where they may be purchased?
-- Geoff Sykes
-- Assoc. Los Angeles
--
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.4/476 - Release Date: 10/14/2006
Anne writes..
"It is impossible to make sweeping generalizations in a complex area
such as this. Each situation, each piano is different, and education and
knowledge are the keys..... What is clear is, if you aren't sure, ask".....
I will ask, the 1852 Collard & Collard; is this a grand or a square grand?
Has it sat untouched for years and years and thus the original parts are
still intact? Or have many and massive repairs to the strings action and
keyboard been done over the years. If by some miracle the most of the parts
appear to be original and not worn but some of the strings are broken or
silk threads (if any) broken or parchment hinges still intact but can't
stand playing, if all of these parts are original then a museum might be
interested in purchasing and conserving it.
In the museum Ed Sutton mentioned now called the National Music Museum in
Vermillion SD they have several older keyboards mostly before 1830 but the
1852 Collard might be of interest. Their dream acquisitions are instruments
of performing quality (of their time) with as much original material as
possible. With such a specimen their idea isn't to restore it to playing
condition since conserving it as original as possible will mean more
knowledge of the parts, processes, methods of construction , and design of
its time will be preserved. If it has been repaired, rebuilt, repainted over
the years and this is in the provenance, They might try to restore it to
original condition using new duplicated parts and expect it to be played.
I could ask John Koster the conservator if he is interested in some
pictures, or Google National Music Museum, join for a year's membership
($30) to (55) and ask away.
Got any pictures?
---ric www.pnotec.com
-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of a.acker at comcast.net
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 10:15 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Antique Pianos
Stephane, thanks for soliciting my opinions about how to deal with antique
pianos and their owners and uses.
I have been too busy to write on this topic, as it is a huge one, and I
correctly presumed there would be heated feelings. I definitely don't have
the energy to deal with that right now.
This is a topic obviously near and dear to my heart as I make my living
primarily with harpsichords and 18th and 19th century pianos. As part of
this, I consult and advise owners as to the choices and implications for
their individual situation and individual instrument.
It is impossible to make sweeping generalizations in a complex area such as
this. Each situation, each piano is different, and education and knowledge
are the keys.
For example of a need for more knowledge, somebody was remarking about
soundboards turning to dust. Well, no they really don't. I have heard 300
year old soundboard which were quite fabulous. Now, if the instrument has
been stored in a wet barn for 200 of those years and has suffered dramatic
woodworm damage, that is another situation.
Please note that I am not advocating restoring 300 year old rare instruments
by the prior remark.
Nor am I criticizing the writer, for they are not completely wrong. Many
early 20th century soundboards are dead and need to be replaced. This is
rarely true of early and mid 19th century boards for various reasons. So,
this is simply a matter of more information, more knowledge.
Anyway, there is too much to discuss here and I have no desire to get into
arguments at this time. I give talks on this topic, and myself and others
are trying to get going panel discussions and educational sessions at the
PTG conventions on this very matter.
What is clear is, if you aren't sure, ask. Respect the instrument, respect
the owner, respect knowledge. Don't assume you know everything, for hubris
learns little and makes mistakes. If you are uncomfortable about an
antique instrument, don't degrade the instrument, refer the owner to
somebody else.
There is plenty of work out there on non-antique pianos, so why take it on
if you don't really want to?
Very best regards to all,
Anne
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