<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Re: [CAUT] hammer butt replacement</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY> Hey, Daniel, My condolences.  I’ve done more of these than I care to think about.  Actually, doing it once is more than I care to think about.  Seriously, though, it’s tedious but not difficult. The springs are held in by a cord, also available from Schaff – part nr. 3737, pg. 105.  One yard is plenty for one piano.  Cut the cord into three, one-foot sections; its more manageable that way.  You’ll see that the cord has a core surrounded by a braided mantle.  Pull the mantle off one end about an inch or so (or pull the core out the other end, depending on your point of view), put some glue on the end of mantle, and press it together so it come to a point, more or less.  This will be your “needle” for putting the cord through the hole.  While the glue is drying, use your center pin removing pliers to push the old cord out some.  It won’t come out all the way, but you can get it out enough to grab it with pliers or forceps and pull it out.  You might be able to do this without taking the butt off the rail, or maybe not.  That’s your call.  Now you just put the new spring in position and thread the cord through.  On the first one, make sure you only pull it through to the end of the mantle and cut off the excess core.  Don’t cut the core before you do the first spring.  Pulling the cord through the hole will pull the mantle back down the cord into its original shape & length.  Then just slice off the cord with a knife or razor and you’re ready for the next one.  Sometimes I run into pianos with slightly oversize holes and the cord doesn’t fit tight.  In that case, I completely remove the core from one segment of cord, and use a cord and another mantle together to hold the spring.  It has to fit fairly tight – friction is all that holds the cord in place.  When you’re finished, pour a glass of your favorite beer and drink a toast to Kimball – for being out of the piano business. :-) Regards, Ken Z. On 8/30/06 11:15 AM, "daniel carlton" <hacicspe@gmail.com> wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE>hi can someone tell me the best way to replace hammer butt springs in a kimball? it looks like some type of cloth that holds the spring in place. how do i get it out? what do i use to replace the cloth? (i have the springs from Schaff already)   daniel carlton hacicspe@gmail.com </BLOCKQUOTE> -- Ken Zahringer, RPT Piano Technician MU School of Music 297 Fine Arts 882-1202 cell 489-7529 </BODY> </HTML>