Setting Dip on the Bench

[David Love]

My typical method is using the inserted punching (.030) and set dip until
the jack just escapes with light pressure in the piano.  Then I measure to
see what the dip is.  If it's too shallow or too deep I adjust the blow
(within reason) until the dip regulates where I want it-(10 mm is my dip of
choice).  I'll go to .040 aftertouch if I have to for a compromise but I
prefer .030.  I do that after all other regulation is done (except
backchecks).   I find I need to do this at eye level at the keybed.  All
other methods are simply roughing it in.  I've tried the other methods you
mentioned but none are precise enough.  I would like to have a method of
transferring the set up on the keybed to the bench so that the dip is
precisely duplicated.  But like Ed mentioned, this may be a pipe dream.
I've tried various methods of rebedding the keyframe on the bench but none
quite do the trick.  Some get close but I still have to check it in the
piano.  I was hoping I was missing some foolproof method however I think
that inherent differences in the keybed level and the bench will always
produce different results.  I'm hoping to be proven wrong.  

 

David Love
davidlovepianos at comcast.net
www.davidlovepianos.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Erwinspiano at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2007 7:08 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: Setting Dip on the Bench

 

  David

    I'll get to the bench reg part but first This thread brings up the
question where & one measures dip & with what does one use to do this. A dip
block, a ruler? As long as I've done this work I've used a simple distance
gauge that fits under the key. It's .375 in diameter.  It's a small piece of
steel with a thin handle brazed to it. PIcs below . The cut out in the face
of it fits right up into & against the pin.

   

 My Dad made it 40 years ago.

  It's easy to use,visual & quick. Just Insert the jig & if the dip is
shallow, the key rises, indicating the need to remove punchings....again
visual...quick.  If dip is deep...tap tap. The need to add punchings.  I
don't sit at eye level to do this even at the piano.

  Also the sharps...always a sticky wicket.  Again insert it under the white
keys & see what's happening then correct it. The width of the gauge allows
easy access between the white key pins to access the key pins to the sharps

  Being a dip priority regulator I've always like to stay a bout a .390 dip.
SO I place gauge  under the key & tap the top of the key with my finger then
listen & feel for a slight .015 gap.  Or a single wrap of masking tape
around the circumference of the gauge makes it zzzzactly.390. In that case
the gauge should just slide in with no key rise or no tapping sound.

   For the bench part Eds suggestion of duplicating the keybed environment
is good & possible to get close. My non -rookie shop helper Keith Roberts
came up with a slick way to get very close on the bench. (been the re to
long to be a rookie any more..darn)

  HE/we uses the gauge to set dip on all the C notes sitting at the piano.
We then place the action on the reg bench & remove the stack. The keys fall
down & rest on the punchings  Then we the use a straight edge set between
our test notes. Using our test notes we remove or add punchings till he/we
a fairly straight line between test notes.  It's quick easy & any shop
rookie can get very close. Then reinstall the action stack & keys in the
piano & tweak further until it's dialed.   At this point I use the after
touch feel I like.  Meaning it's just a tactile sense from years of doing
this.  Or place a card of .040 or .050 on top of the front punching & then
depress the key. If the dip/aftertouoch is right the jack should just begin
to escape.

  Make sense?.....yes..no?

  Dale

Does anyone have a reliable method of setting key dip (grand) on the bench
so that it remains accurate when the action is moved back to the piano?  I'd
sure love to retire from sitting down at eye level to the key bed.  

David Love
davidlovepianos at comcast.net 
www.davidlovepianos.com

 

 

Dale Erwin--Piano Restorations
4721 Parker rd
Modesto, Ca. 95357
Shop 209-577-8397
Web site http://www.Erwinspiano.com <http://www.erwinspiano.com/>  
Restoration & Sales of
Steinway & Sons & other fine pianos.
" Soundboards by Design"





  _____  

Get a sneak peak of the all-new AOL.com
<http://discover.aol.com/memed/aolcom30tour/?ncid=AOLAOF00020000000982> .

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20070712/0deae0f9/attachment-0001.html 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 44060 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20070712/0deae0f9/attachment-0002.jpe 
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: image/jpeg
Size: 40909 bytes
Desc: not available
Url : https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20070712/0deae0f9/attachment-0003.jpe