Help on repairs!!

[Richard Brekne]

Sounds typical of graphite in the centerpin bushings. Pull one out, and do the
same with the hammer butt flange,.... remove the center pin and see if you can
discern whether or not graphite has been used in the felt.

If so... roughen up a center pin a bit with  #80 paper (pin should be one size
smaller then what was in there to begin with) and brush up lightly the inside of
the bushing. Then work some teflon powder into the bushing. Coat your new center
pin (after sizing the bushing correctly of course) with proteck.. and you are
set.

Time consuming if you have to do all of them... Alternatively, if you want to cut
as many corners as possible... is to attempt a drop of proteck on each bushing
without removing any centers. It will most likely work right away.. whether it
will last more then a few days depends on how bad the centers really are.

Richard Brekne
I.C.P.T.G.  N.P.T.F.
Bergen, Norway

JSmith3109@AOL.COM wrote:

> Dear list:
>
> The piano is a Cable-Nelson Ser.#316422 (1948-49) I have tuned the piano for
> about 10 years. Many times they call me about keys that do not work. Mainly
> in octaves 4 and 5 (F#-A-4: G-A#-5) The problem: The keys will work several
> times, then the jack fails to return under the hammer butt. If you work at a
> little it will go back under and then work for several more times (maybe
> 15-20, maybe 2 weeks).I have adjusted the regulating screw, the capstan,
> replaced the jack springs,adjusted the spoon,used Protek on the key,
> re-pinned the flanges, checked the key bushings,but still they refuse to work
> as they should. What am I missing? The piano is not abused as it it used by 3
> girls in the family that are serious about the piano and do a lot of
> practicing. I would like to try something else so that I can leave the house
> and feel confident that the keys will work for the kids.