Capstan Relocation

[Farrell]

----- Original Message -----
From: "Newton Hunt" <nhunt@jagat.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, October 14, 2000 11:34 PM
Subject: Re: Capstan Relocation


> The critical factors in understanding the consequences of
> making a change in an action parameter is to understand the
> leverage of the system in it's entirety.  The measurements
> you need are:
>
> Up weight
> Down weight
> Wippen weight
> Hammer weight
> Key front weight
> Key leverage.

That is consistent with the Stanwood manual.

> Submitted to David Stanwood's formula permits you to
> determine the actual strike ratio which is the overall
> leverage of the action.  If your action is currently over
> leveraged then moving the capstan makes sense but if the
> action is currently well leveraged then you will have an
> under leveraged action which is as bad to an over leveraged
> one.

My leverage is currently within the normal leverage range - but one has some
leeway within the extremes of the acceptable range of action leverage to
make changes if desired - like if it would improve some other geometrical
relationship.

>Before to start fixing something not broken you need
> to know fully what you are doing by understanding Stanwood's
> system.

Again, I am looking for ways to optimize an action, not necessarily fix
anything that is broken (i.e., my car runs fine, but I want to win the
race! - there likely is something that can be improved). Part of the
Stanwood approach is to optimize the action geometry FIRST, and then make
final decisions regarding hammer weight, key leading, etc. (but, yes, some
of his info can and should be considered during the optimization process).

> Once you understand this system you can analyze any action
> and know where the problems lie.

That's why I am asking questions.  :-)   And I thank you for your input!

> Newton

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com