[CAUT] Grease/Oil on upright pressure bar

[David Ilvedson]

Andrew,

I'd say Jim has it pretty much exactly how you should proceed.   I would emphasize the idea that "you were the last piano technician".   Don't let this become your problem...i.e. something associated with you.   Now is the time to let them know about the problem "you've have found".    

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, California


----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Jim Harvey" <harvey@greenwood.net>
To: "College and University Technicians" <caut@ptg.org>
Received: 10/9/2005 8:28:33 PM
Subject: RE: [CAUT] Grease/Oil on upright pressure bar


>Okay, Andrew, this explains the "bunch", and it qualifies for Harvey's
>rule-of-six axiom: more than six of anything requires a different
>approach -- whether keycovers, tuning pins, strings, hammers, or pianos.

>I've only had hands-on with Boston grands, so can't speak to other
>replies about how the verticals tune/feel. Since we seem to be getting
>more details by the moment, I submit that only machine tools typically
>get a liberal dose of "slickum" before shipping to help prevent rust
>during transport and warehousing. Piano manufacturers know better, so
>the most they do is special absorbent paper, silica gel or other
>desiccant, then sometimes sealing the pianos in plastic, etc.

>Staff technicians are at less risk for scrutiny than part-time,
>as-needed folks. In your case, I might suggest documenting this
>situation. You've already begun by commenting here. Other supporting
>materials, evidence, etc. may help, such as samples of the material
>you've collected. Not trying to sound over-dramatic, but you may want to
>think like the forensics folks. Use a sterile swab or other to collect a
>sample of the lubricious material. Photos are good, but likely out of
>the question for this situation.

>Eight (or more) of the same brand and type of pianos in one place (the
>school), and with the same set of negative conditions are enough to get
>a manufacturer's attention! They may want their representative to
>evaluate this personally. At a minimum, they may want another opinion
>from an "expert" (someone from more than 25 miles away -- or in your
>case, probably 100 miles), and in this case, one who has NOT been
>involved with those instruments.

>You should also continue to practice gentle persuation with the prof,
>chair, committee, whomever, and do so in writing. Poor school or not,
>they need to be informed of the situation and the down-stream
>potentials. All this is as much for YOU as it is for them. Otherwise,
>when the next 'PRN' is contracted, YOU become the last person who was
>exposed to these pianos. I've found a lot of faculty tend to have even
>shorter memories than I.

>The manufacturer may say they didn't do it (probably true so be ready
>for it). OTOH, considering there are a significant number of their units
>"exposed", they may elect to intervene in some manner. This comes under
>the "implied warranty" or "peace of mind assurance" that is undocumented
>but actually exists with manufacturers. Also, depending on the schools
>resources, this may qualify for some type of insurance claim, again
>depending on the extent and costs of correction.

>As a final thought, I've also seen vandalism that was very discrete. One
>example was the application of one drop of (some type of) lubricant to
>each tuning pin where it entered the block. In this case, nothing
>happened to tuning stability! That is, until the first time a tuning
>lever was applied to the pin! Once the initial "stiction" was disturbed,
>the string tension lowered pitch real fast!

>Jim Harvey
>PS: I'm really curious about the "yellow" part. Sulfer content? Dunno,
>might be right in there with disguising arsenic with coloring before
>applying to the insides of pianos. 


>-----Original Message-----
>Jim,
>This affects some 8, possibly more, upright 'Boston' pianos.  One has 
>a dead bass unison.  It is in the deep bass and I'll have to check to 
>see if it is lubricant related.  The bass section did seem to tune 
>normally.  These pianos probably came with tight pin-blocks and 
>springy pins.  That someone would try lubricating the pressure bar to 
>improve that surprises me.  It definitely isn't rusty, just yields 
>this oily yellow stuff and dirt when you drag a rag under it. At first I
>was thinking a mis-guided "rust-proofing" effort but it is 
>an upright and gravity will do its work so that could account for the 
>oily strings.  I was hoping to come up with something that would not 
>involve air pollution (solvents) or removing the bars.  Looks like 
>that is the only solution that will really get the job done.  A heat 
>gun or torch really risks pushing me towards re-stringing besides 
>burnishing the plate paint or worse, burning it. :-[
>I wondered at first if someone had fooled with the pressure bars but 
>the position does look average for the pianos:  a couple degrees rise 
>from the coils to the bar and much more (20 -30 guestimated) from the 
>bar to the termination point on the plate.

>I'll go back to the worst one at some point a see how its doing and 
>check out that dead bass unison more carefully.  I did ask the piano 
>proff. off hand if anyone had wanted to "treat" the pianos, he wasn't 
>aware of any such plan.  I guess I may end up being the bearer of bad
>news.

>Andrew

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