<html> <body> It's not bobbling with a firm blow. It's not something you would pick up on while tuning, for example. It's on a softer blow, the kind when the key might not completely bottom out. It's not a matter of the catcher not catching, i.e. the catcher hitting the backcheck and bouncing off. As I said, it works fine on a medium or hard blow, and that's in spite of the fact that the catchers and butt "leathers" are not buckskin but some kind of brown cloth that some of the manufacturers tried back in that era. The owner does not have the money to do all that could be done, though I have made her aware of that. Aaron At 10:29 AM 1/15/2006, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">In a message d= ated 1/15/2006 12:23:47 A.M. Central Standard Time, abousel@comcast.net writes: <dl> <dd>There is a Mason & Hamlin upright model 50 (vintage 1975) I service and at the last tuning the owner was complaining about bobbling hammers. The hammer pinning is very loose. I played around with the note that was bothering her the most and through a combination of repinning and strengthening the hammer return spring was able to all but eliminate the problem. The piano is in good regulation. Here's the issue: The action is really poorly made. 1975 was not exactly the golden age for these. In repinning the one I did, I could see that the flange bushing cloth was poor quality. It would be wonderful to replace the whole action, but that's not going to happen. Does anyone know if it's possible to get replacement hammer flanges? These flanges are different from the generic ones sold by piano supply houses. If that's not possible, I have to go with rebushing what's there. Any recommendations on a good source of flange bushing cloth? I know M&H are making these again. Anyone know if the action design is the same? <dd>thanks, <dd>Aaron </dl>Aaron.   The problem might not be in the flange pinning. You need to figure out why it is bobbling. It could be that there is not enough key dip. Even taking out a .005" punching is sometimes enough to make a difference. Also check the condition of the catcher. Roughing it up a bit will give the back check something to grab a hold of. Try pushing the back check forward or back a little, and see if that will get it to check better.   Wim Willem Blees RPT Piano Tuner/Technician School of Music University of Alabama</blockquote> <x-sigsep></x-sigsep> ------------------------------------------ Aaron Bousel abousel@comcast.net (413) 253-3544 (voice) (413) 253-3846 (voice & fax)</body> </html>