Source for spring stock

[David Boyce]

Floyd,  Heckschers in the UK also have butt springs with long tails. I've 
quite often fitted odd spring into buts with just the configuration you 
describe. But I've never done a whole set.  You need to be careful to note 
whether the coil is right or left, or the tail will be on the wrong side for 
the tiny hole in the butt!

I would be happy to help out if I can - I must be due to order a few things 
from Heckschers and could easily include a set of springs to send out to you 
at cost.

Heckschers also sell a spring making tool, and I seem to recall they used to 
have wire for making springs, but I don't see it in the online catalog.  I 
have an account with Hechschers, but don't deal with F&N.

http://www.uk-piano.org/heckscher/hec_part.html#springs

Let me know if I can help.

Best regards,

David.

P.S. Is the Evestaff WORTH spending much on?  Quite fiddly to replace a 
whole set of butt springs, and I amagine it will need lots of  other 
attention too, from the sound of it.  And after all that, it ain't gonna 
sound all that wonderful, is it! It didn't, after all, when it was brand 
new!

PPS, I have some of most types of Heckschers butt springs, and could send u 
out half a dozen or so, if you just wanted to replace the odd broken ones?:

I'll shortly be making a return visit to a customer with an Evestaff piano
that has been neglected for many years.  My first visit included gluing on
close to a dozen damper felts that had fallen off, and raising the piano to
pitch.  The action is going to need significant attention--most of the
hammer butt flanges have way too much friction, and the butt springs have
corroded--touch them and they break.

The butt springs are mounted in the butts themselves, like the Yamahas etc.
with the silk cord on the flange.  The tail of the spring is threaded
through the butt, coming out the side, if I remember correctly, and then
being secured in some kind of slot.

The problem has been finding an appropriate set of replacement springs.
I've talked to Schaff, and see nothing in the Pianotek catalogue that would
work here--nothing with a thin enough gauge that has a long enough tail.
The items are available from Fletcher Newman in England, but the terms of
payment for international buyers make placing small orders prohibitive in
cost.

I have Schaff's spring making tool, and could make the springs if I had the
right stock to work with.  The diameter of the existing spring stock is .018
inches, which is the diameter of #7 music wire.  The gentleman at Schaff did
not think music wire would give me the results I needed, and that I might
try brass stock.  Any suggestions as to what I should be using, and where I
might get it in fairly small quantities?

Floyd Gadd