Steinway balance rail bearings

[Ron Nossaman]

> I don't recall Steinway (half-round) balance rail bearings being 
> discussed on the lists anytime recently.
> 
> What is the minimum thickness of paper punchings that should be put 
> under the bearings to promote quiet operation?

Don't know. I like at least 0.010".


> What are the arguments against these bearings -- besides the fact that 
> they can be noisy, make the use of Rawson leveling tabs problematic, and 
> make it difficult for Stanwood installers to tweak the key ratio with 
> veneer shims?
> 
> Kent Swafford

Other than being potentially noisy, I don't have anything 
against them other than they take up space that a key 
stiffening shoe might otherwise occupy. The folks using half 
punchings are just doing what the half dowel already does - 
keeping the pivot point close to the same spot throughout the 
key stroke, where with a flat punching, it moves at least half 
the width of the punching during the stroke.

My take.
Ron N