[CAUT] S&S hammer flange rail material and cheap mylar

[Fred Sturm]

On Aug 18, 2008, at 4:54 PM, Alan McCoy wrote:

> I've used a variety of materials for this application. I'm about to  
> put on
> another set of S&F and wanted to hear what other techs are using.  
> I've been
> searching the fabric stores to find a good material with no success  
> yet. I'm
> thinking wool or cotton with some body to it. The strips from S&S  
> are $8
> each. Being cheap, I'd like to be able to do 5 actions for $8 and  
> figure I
> can do that if I find the right fabric.


	A strip of normal woven fabric would probably be problematic for this  
application: it tend to like to stretch and bunch. A ribbon material  
(like stringing braid) with a complex weave is better: it will lay  
down better and hold shape better. I don't know what fabric stores  
have in that line, but there was a pretty good variety in the ribbon  
department last time I walked by (looking for needles and grommets and  
whatnot).
	BTW, speaking of stringing braid, I notice that old (as recent as  
60's for Steinway) quality pianos used a wool braid. I have never seen  
anything commercially from piano supply houses except cotton, which  
seems like it doesn't damp as well. Does anyone carry wool stringing  
braid?

Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico
fssturm at unm.edu