<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1555" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2>I tend to think of the jack position screw like the "fine-tuner" on a violin. For others, the drop screw is the "fine tuner."</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2>IOW, when all four adjustments are as close as I'm able, I will use the sychronization of let-off/drop contact, (what some refer to as "single-contact escapement") as a "fine-tuning device" for optimal jack position.</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2>Like Jim, I find it easy to be precise with let-off, drop and rep height, but jack position can be tricky... ( I tend to end up with "drop-screw shaped indents" on whichever side of my head's been resting on the hammer rail! :>)</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2>So, although I try to be precise, I don't anguish too much over this adjustment, knowing the "fine-tuning" stage will dial it in <U>precisely </U>where it needs to be.</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2>Going back a step or too, it's a great idea to pre-regulate a test note and prove dimensions beforehand:</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2>i.e.: If a particular action is needing a smidge more rep height, or a little wider drop than typical, I will explore the other 3 adjustments to see where I can offset the compromise. On at least one occasion, this has even meant setting the jack slightly behind the knuckle core, but with absolutely no detriment to the touch. </FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2>("fine regulation" always presumes knuckles to be in optimum condition)</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><SPAN class=830571715-08082007></SPAN><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT size=2></FONT></SPAN></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2>At the other end of things, jack-position as the "fine-tuner" is a great diagnostic tool:</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2>i.e.: After fine-adjusting, if I notice a jack out-of-line, I can lift the shanks and see if the knuckle is also out of line with it's neighbors, or perhaps the jack is telling me I've left the repetition lever a bit too high, etc. When I correct the rep lever height, I will fine-tune the jack position again, and expect it will line up nicely with it's neighbors. </FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007></SPAN><SPAN class=830571715-08082007></SPAN><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2>IOW, even though I'm "re-negotiating" jack position without reference to the knuckle core, I fully expect the jacks to end up in a nice straight line, and positioned <U>exactly</U> where they're supposed to be, relative to the knuckle. </FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2>Most times there's no adjustment needed at all. </FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2><SPAN class=830571715-08082007>So my recommendation is to use whatever bulk method you prefer...  a string-line, sighting down the neighboring knuckle, etc. to get the jacks "close" in a hurry. </SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2><SPAN class=830571715-08082007></SPAN></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><SPAN class=830571715-08082007>Then, do the fine adjustment of jack position (black, white, otherwise)  comfortably from the back of the action, with shanks up, using the initial motion of the jack-top (post drop-screw contact) as your precision reference. </SPAN><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT> </FONT></SPAN><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT>   </FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2>best regards,</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2>Mark Cramer,</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua"><FONT size=2>Brandon University</FONT> </FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=830571715-08082007><FONT face="Book Antiqua" size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org]<B>On Behalf Of </B>Chris Solliday<BR><B>Sent:</B> Wednesday, August 08, 2007 9:29 AM<BR><B>To:</B> caut@ptg.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> [CAUT] jack alignment<BR><BR></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I, like Fred Sturm, have found that many of my clients prefer the more positive feel of the jack further under. I certainly never have cheating problems when adjusting that way unless there are flange problems. I might be tempted to try and eek out a little more speed of repetition if someone complained about it being slow but then there are so many other issues available I would rather address them first. So I'm saying being on the edge of cheating may not be the best position even for a concert regulation. I usually do as Fred with a taut thread line after setting end samples, then I check individually for anomalies. That yields a more consistent result than trying to do 88 individually, at least for me with my eyes and usual concentration level. I do like the "Garlick method" offered by Michael for a "quickie" though.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Paul is right, we get such good food for thought at this trough. Lucky us.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial><FONT size=2>Chris Solliday</FONT> </FONT></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>