David There might be other compelling reasons, but I presume it's a matter of cost. It is less expensive to harden the capo, than to do the routing, and purchase, and cut the steel rods. As far as you doing this, I guess there is no reason why you can't try it, provided you have a router and tip, and the ability to do the work. Any 1/8" hardened steel rod should work. Maybe someone has some old Kimball rods to spare. Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT Piano Tuner/Technician Mililani, Oahu, HI 808-349-2943 Author of: The Business of Piano Tuning available from Potter Press www.pianotuning.com -----Original Message----- From: David Love <davidlovepianos at comcast.net> To: pianotech at ptg.org Sent: Wed, 4 Mar 2009 8:59 am Subject: [pianotech] Capo Bars Why do manufacturers harden capo bars rather than cast (or grind) the underside of the strut flat, rout out a groove to receive a steel rod of proper radius, shape and hardness and insert it there where it could, when it’s worn, be easily changed and where the consistency would be more easily controlled. Is there a compelling reason not to do it that way? Secondly, if I were to do that to a piano where I have some concerns about the hardness and or consistency of the capo, what specific material and diameter would be best to use for the rod insert? Any thoughts appreciated? David Love www.davidlovepianos.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech_ptg.org/attachments/20090304/ee24d277/attachment.html>
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