In a message dated 9/24/00 5:54:53 PM Central Daylight Time, Wimblees@AOL.COM writes: << << List, I need to replace a few of the threads that attach to the whippen springs on an old English grand. Does anyone have an opinion on what kind of thread or string is most appropriate? The supply houses sell silk cord, is this better than regular thread or string or nylon line? Is CA glue good to glue them on, or is hide glue better? Thanks, as always for your opinions. Keith Jones Piano Tuning kjones@well.com >> This is not one of those super critical repairs. You can use ordinary thread, although silk will probably last a little longer. I wouldn't use nylon. And you can use CA glue, or wood glue, if you don't have hide glue ready to go. By the way, the contraption to which you are referring is called a wippen, not a whippen. There is not such thing as a whippen, although youngsters used to get a whipp'n when they misbehaved. (But then in my dictionary, there is no such thing as a wippen, either.) Willem >> Although I usually don't answer rebuilding and most repair questions, I have a reason for answering this one. I'm glad Wim pointed out the spelling issue. I have long been interested in English nomenclature regarding Piano Technology but French and Spanish as well. Good spelling, grammar and sentence structure are important on a List like this one because people from anywhere and everywhere can and do read it. If we want the excellent knowledge about Piano Technology that is generated here to be properly understood and interpreted into their respective languages by Europeans and Asians who read the List, we have to do our best to use good English and be consistent with nomenclature and its spelling. I personally have run into the dilemma of not being able to find the Spanish and French Equivalents of certain very common piano parts, namely "whippen" and "flange". Believe me, there are plenty more and in other areas besides parts and their functions. "Well-Temperament" for example, does not translate properly into either Spanish or French. It came to light a few years ago (and was written up in the Journal) that the word which has most often been spelled, "whippen" comes from a German verb (not the name of an object but a word describing an action) which means "to rock", "wippen". In German, the "W" is pronounced as a "V" is in English, so the word in German sounds like "Vippen". Many words used in Piano Technology came out of factories in which there were people using mixtures of language. An example would be the German makers and craftsmen who went to England, the United States and Canada. Somehow, the English speaking workers and the Germans would learn to understand each other, each learning a bit of the other's language. The present day thinking is that this word should be spelled, "Wippen" but it is also recognized that the word has often been spelled with the "h" inserted. The abbreviation, "Whips" is also commonly used to refer to a set of them. It would seem to me that if "Wippen" is correct, then a good abbreviation for a set of them would be, "Wips", not "Whips", although I have never seen the word, "Wips" in print. As for the chords, I agree with Wim (not "Whim"), basically. I highly advise using the silk cord from the Supply House. Any repair to a piano should be thought of as needing to last a very long time, say a minimum of 30 years. The silk cord is very strong and lasts very long. Only if you are sure about the longevity and strength of another material, should you use it. I don't know why Wim disrecommends Nylon but perhaps it is for these reasons. As for the adhesive, CA glue would be overkill if you were doing a complete set. For just a few however, you can get the immediate cure and strength you need for minor repairs. It is costly compared to other glues and is hazardous and fumes from its use are irritating and toxic. Unless you use gloves to do the job, you will get it all over your fingers. It will take a soaking in acetone to get the crust off. You don't need Hot Hide glue either although using a thin preparation of it would do the job very well. It will set quickly as it cools. You can use just plain White glue, such as Elmer's that you can get anywhere and cheaply. It is not toxic and will clean off of your fingers easily. There will be some set time involved though. Working in a warm environment and letting the glue set up at least a couple of hours, preferably overnight will make sure that the bond is strong and cured before you try to install the piece and hook up the spring. The strength that common White glue has is more than adequate to hold that chord in place. It just has to be evenly, thoroughly, consistently and carefully applied and allowed to set and cure in order to avoid future failure. Bill Bremmer RPT Madison, Wisconsin
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