[CAUT] S&S hammer flange rail material

[Alan McCoy]

Including cutting braid, gluing on with PVC_E, and applying and heating
beeswax about 15 minutes.

As to an acoustical difference, I have no clue. I do like it mechanically.
No difference in spread.

Alan


> From: Douglas Wood <dew2 at u.washington.edu>
> Reply-To: "College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>" <caut at ptg.org>
> Date: Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:31:32 -0700
> To: "College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org>" <caut at ptg.org>
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] S&S hammer flange rail material
> 
> Now I am curious. How long does this take vs sticking on the "gold-
> plated" $8 strip? I bill my private work these days at over $1.50/min...
> 
> And then has anyone tried Fred's notion of comparing the auditory
> results of bare rail, stringing braid, current black self-adhesive
> felt, sandpaper, any any other commonly used items?
> 
> It seems to me that the current material helps hold the flanges for
> hammer spacing, but then does it help acoustically?
> 
> Sandpaper has the disadvantage of introducing abrasives into the
> brass and wood rail structure. It is also obviously different from
> what Steinway has ever done. Has anyone measured action spread with
> and without?
> 
> Doug
> 
> 
> On Aug 19, 2008, at 10:09 AM, Alan McCoy wrote:
> 
>> Wow, I like it! I heated up the beeswax in my hot pot. Applied a
>> tiny amount
>> with a brush onto the braid that was already stuck on the rail.
>> Then heated
>> it slightly with a heat gun. The wax melted into the cloth and not
>> only
>> firmed it up but made it slightly sticky. Just like waxing skis
>> will give
>> you purchase in the snow for climbing.
>> 
>> Alan
>> 
>>> 
>>> firms the stringing braid so it doesn't slide so much, only put it
>>> on the
>>> top side
>> 
>>> 
>> 
>> 
> 
> Doug Wood
> School of Music
> University of Washington
>