[pianotech] regulation problem

[William Truitt]

I've not heard of the term "excavating felt", but two other methods commonly
used to lighten hammers are full length tapering of the sides of the hammer
(best done with a jig on a table saw.  An adjustable jig can allow you to
control the angle of the taper, and the width of the tail), and the use of a
drum sander with about 80 grit paper to shape the sides of the hammer (you
can put in about a 2' drum into your drill press and do it there).  I think
I would prefer the use of the drum sander over the razor myself.

Will Truitt

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of jimialeggio
Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2010 10:45 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] regulation problem

David Weiss wrote:
> What do you mean by excavating felt?
>   
I haven't experimented with Ed McMorrow's "Lighthammer" trimming (though 
its on my mind), but he removes a fair amount of  felt from the 
shoulders with a razor blade.  Perhaps he might chime in here if he's 
lurking.

The folks who own the Frederick Collection of Historical Grand Pianos in 
Ashburnham, MA have also performed this "excavation" on a couple of 
their modern period instruments in an attempt to achieve a hammer weight 
approaching what they surmise as hammer weight original to the action.  

Jim I


-- 
Jim Ialeggio
grandpianosolutions.com
978- 425-9026
Shirley, MA