Thanks guys. I think I panicked a bit and probably missed something. I did look but couldn't make out what was holding it back. Because it was sticking in a precarious position, I had to reset it to go below and look, but then I couldn't determine what might have been holding it back. And to make matters worse, it was in a dark room with little light; my flashlight was my only source of light up under. I will bring a spot lamp next time. My biggest worry was ripping the dampers. Thankfully, that I avoided, but at the cost of doing a proper job, I fear. When I am next out there, I will give it a better examination. Lesson learned. I appreciate the help, Gary From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Dean May Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 3:32 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Spinet: Filing/ Shaping Hammers Sometimes you have to remove the keys. On some of those wurlys there are hooks on the action brackets. The supply houses sell a 4 section rod that screws together making one long one. You use this rod to push the stickers forward towards the hammer rail, then push the rod over the hooks on the brackets. This holds the stickers up out of the way. You can make your own rod if you want, just make it long enough to reach from one end of the action to the other, about as long as the hammer rest rail. On others you can one at a time push the stickers forward between the back checks and hook them over each individual back check to keep them out of the way. Dean Dean May cell 812.239.3359 PianoRebuilders.com 812.235.5272 Terre Haute IN 47802 _____ From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Amadeus Piano Sent: Monday, August 24, 2009 2:43 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: [pianotech] Spinet: Filing/ Shaping Hammers Do you always remove the action to file/ shape hammers in a spinet? I ask because I read here once that we should never remove a spinet action unless absolutely necessary. I now understand that edict. With good faith and naive optimism, I fully intended to remove the action on a Wurlitzer ca. 1950 spinet. I unscrewed the action bracket bolts, I unscrewed the little screws holding the front edge down at the back of the keybed, I even unscrewed the brace on the fallboard slide to make more room; then I tried pulling the little puppy out. Yikes. I couldn't get it to come out. I could get it moving up and it felt like it was coming out, but then it would stop, like there was something I missed or it was snagging somewhere. But I couldn't find what was holding it back. I could get it up about 3 or 4 inches or so, but then it seemed to catch. Looking up from underneath, I couldn't see the problem. It wasn't any of the peddle dowels-I've seen them screwed in at the top before, but that wasn't the case here, they just fell off. But, I have to say, just getting it back in from this position without doing any damage was hard enough-it seemed nearly cunning in its willingness to move in every direction but up or straight back down-and it was all I could do to keep from ripping the dampers all to hell. To make a long story short, I filed and shaped the hammers with the action in place. (Faux pas)? I think I did a pretty good job, but getting to the back of the hammers at the correct angle was a bear. And of course, I worried about the felt dust getting all over the place. I was careful and even placed rags around the bottom of the shanks to block as much as I could, and when I was done, I (carefully) blew and (vigorously) vacuumed and I think I got most if not all of it out. I think I did a decent job on the hammers-standard grove wear taken care of, the hammer shape looks pretty good, all strings make contact. And it tuned up ok after the work too, although I can't swear that I didn't mess up some strike points just a little, esp. in the area just after the treble break-there are some subtle false beats that may or may not have been there prior to the hammer work. So, I guess my question is twofold: Is it ok to attempt to shape hammers in a spinet with the action in place? And what might have been the problem with this action snagging, what was I missing? Something obvious I fear. I imagine I will eventually have to remove one of these actions-thought I dread the thought. Thanks in advance, Gary -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20090824/4db6db38/attachment-0001.htm>
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