> Richard; > In a message dated 6/5/97 11:24:35 AM, remoody@easnetsd.com (Richard Moody ) > wrote: > <<Which in their very excellent service manual settings are given, > but I don't remember specs for front bearing vs rear (back) bearings.>> > > Richard other than basic settings, i.e. 1/3 of hitch pin, I don't believe > that they do give "specs", rather they speak of "adjusting" height to alter > bearing. And in the catalog they offer a bearing gauge designed for use with > the accujust pins ? > If I left the impression that there is a specific spec, it was not > intentional. > Jim Bryant (FL) Gentlemen, According to my dog-eared Baldwin Service Manual, bearing (measured from the front of the bridge) should be set approximately .005" in the top treble section, .007" to .010" in the mid treble & tenor sections, and between .010" and .030" in the bass section on Accu-Just instruments. These bearing settings are a guideline only, and not gospel. They also point out that adjusting the Accu-Just settings for whole sections of the piano will have a greater overall effect on the bearing for the section. Baldwin stresses that the Accu-Just system works best with minimal positive bearing, rather than loading up the bridges with lots of positive bearing (common sense dictates this). As for a factory tool, I asked the Baldwin factory techs what they use for bearing setting, and Tommy Edgeman (production supervisor) pulled out a familiar looking rocker gauge, with 'Baldwin' stamped on the side (available from Baldwin, along with a pamphlet on setting bearing 1-800-876-2976 ext 8585). They use this in combination with automotive feeler gauges to determine the amount of bearing present. I also use a dial gauge for quick and accurate bearing measurements. For adjusting the strings up & down on the Accu-Just pin, the factory guys recommended a blunt screwdriver for tapping the strings down, and a coil lifter with leather or heavy felt padding under it for lifting the strings up. You must lower some tension to do this, and again, this will affect your final bearing measurements when the strings are pulled up to pitch. Horace said it when he mentioned you need lots and lots of time for good bearing setting results. As a sidenote to the plate thread, I restrung a 1960 L (6'3") and the tail of the plate sprung up a full two inches from the 'double dowels' it was resting on when the bolts were removed! Happy Thursday, Rob Kiddell, Registered Piano Technician, PTG atonal@planet.eon.net
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