Grand Action Rebuild Time

[David Love]

Sounds reasonable in terms of time to me.  Don't forget to add time for
initial measurements and data collecting to insure you select the proper
parts.  I usually figure 2-3 hours for that and often it takes more.  Keep
in mind that if you change the key end felt you will have to reregulate the
damper lift and maybe the sostenuto.  I don't give bids, only estimates.
There are  some variables in an action job.  But if you are changing
everything it can be time consuming.  Depending on the scope of the job, you
can get the strike weights very even by table saw tapering, smoothing the
wippen weight is not enough benefit for the work, in my opinion.  Depending
on the current leading pattern and front weights there can be quite a bit of
key work: plugging old holes, etc..   I usually allow 6+ hours for a  proper
weigh-off, but if there is a lot of plugging it can take longer.  My advice
is to give an estimate based on worst case scenario and go from there.  And
don't forget to allow enough time for final fitting at the piano, tuning and
voicing.  There are many, including myself, who charge more.

David Love

----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: August 08, 2001 11:30 AM
Subject: Grand Action Rebuild Time


> Hello rebuilding types! Anyone care to give an estimate for time required
to
> rebuild a 1926 all-original Steinway L action? (No damper work - just the
> stuff attached to the keyframe & stack.) I plan on new hammers, shanks,
> flanges, wippens, backchecks, keypins, action frame felt, key bushings.
How
> long would it take to install all these properly with appropriate
traveling,
> spacing, alignment, a good look at action geometry at the onset, right on
> through to a good final regulation to finish. Using Joe Garrett's labor
> guide I calculate about 65 hours. I'm sure it will take longer than that
for
> me because I have only done a few actions. But still 65 hours seems like
> quite a bit. Charging full price would put labor fees over $3,000. Add
parts
> to it and you have more than $5,000 to do a standard action rebuilding.
More
> if you want to incorporate Stanwood techniques, etc. This seems very high
> priced to me (but maybe I just don't know what to expect). How many hours
> would you experienced types allot for doing this work. Thanks.
>
> Terry Farrell
>