zapper for sluggish action

[Bud Schwab]

Hi Susan,

I got an inquiry from Dan Hallett today and I am sending along the answer I 
sent to him.  I'll contact you guys tomorrow when I find out a few things 
as to availability of parts.  I guess I don't have your email address so I 
can just send it to the list.



Hi Dan,

The basic part of the zapper is a transformer that delivers a low voltage 
at a fairly high current.  I used to use what's called a filament 
transformer that was used in radios when they had tubes.  I am going to 
Radio Shack tomorrow and I'll find out what is available for that purpose, 
or there are radio supply stores here in the Los Angeles area.  You just 
run two wires from the two low voltage side of the transformer and put some 
type of metal strip at the end to contact the centerpin.  I will write 
again in a day or so when I find out where you can get the material and let 
you know.  I hope that's clear enough.  I never saw any of Mehaffey's 
zappers so I don't know how they looked, but you can get a box to mount the 
transformer with a jack to plug the wires in.  There are many physical 
possibillities as to how it could be constructed.  Please let me know if 
you have further questions.

Bud
>Dear Bud:
>
>Susan Kline said to ask you how to make a 'Zapper' as she thinks Francis
>Mehaffey isn't making them any more.
>
>Or - do you know anyone that is making them.
>
>Dan Hallett
At 04:05 PM 11/28/00 -0700, you wrote:

> > If a little dose of hair dryer and a dampp chaser rod aren't enough, I
> > bite the bullet, take the action home, and repin all the hammer centers.
> > Plus I zap or repin any slow jack and wippen centers I find. It takes
> > awhile, but I've seen too many truly seized actions from someone spraying
> > in some magic potion. If you just do the whole thing, it is fixed, and
> > the sluggishness won't come back to plague you.
> >
> > Susan
> >
>Hey Bud & Susan,
>
>     I would like to get a zapper too, because this will be a repair for a
>store which doesn't want to admit they sold a sick piano, yesterday I was
>scolded by the store owner for not being diplomatic with the customer.
>
>     I am sorry if it doesn't work, I will tell them frankly not try to hide
>behind some salesman rhetoric.
>
>     I know if I repin the flanges it will take plenty of hours and I
>wouldn't be compensated properly enough to begin with, nor do I have much
>time this month....  If it is something that I can fix during a tuning then
>I will be a hero and called back in good favor.
>
>     If I can't get a zapper could you please describe it exactly so that I
>can make one?
>
>     Thanks,
>
>Eliot

                                                 Bud Schwab
W 6 Z Y P
Malibu, california