Vertical damper springs

[Farrell]

Graeme, thanks for the slick procedure! I'll give this one a whirl next
time. Just curious on one more thing. In your opinion, when is spoon lift
"correct" - damper starts lifting at one-half hammer blow distance?

Also, in Randy Potter's course he mentions a method for adjusting spoons
with the action in the piano. Says he got it from a lady at the Kimball
factory. She "attaches a 7/8" thick block of wood to the strings (now how
did she do that? Maybe a piece of light wood (balsa?) with a couple magnet
strips glued to the back?) and moves the wippen up with one hand, and when
the hammer just touches the wood block, the damper should be just starting
to move. If not, adjust accordingly with good tool. Randy mentions that she
removed all keys first and that he also does this. Doesn't say why, and I
can't really imagine why one would need to do that.

I have never tried the above method, but it sounds good to me. Now if I
could just figure out how the heck to find those little spoon
things............

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

----- Original Message -----
From: "Graeme Harvey" <gharvey@netsource.co.nz>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 03, 2001 2:05 AM
Subject: Vertical damper springs


> Richard,
>
> There is a way of quickly and accurately adjusting spoons on the bench by
> using a bolt through the left action bracket hole (hangs out over the lift
> rod) which allows a small turnbuckle to connect from the bolt down to the
> damper lift rod at the same point the pedal dowel connects to.
> (As opposed to simply wedging the liftrod out from the action rail which
> causes distortion to the rail and consequently upsets the regulation)
>
> First adjust the damper lift timing via the pedal so all lift
> simultaneously.
> Play a few notes and mark a few where the spoon lift is correct. If none
are
> then adjust a few to use as samples.
> Place action on bench and fit bolt and turnbuckle. Adjust turnbuckle to
> simulate the pedal dowel lifting the dampers until the marked dampers AND
> their respective hammers both start moving simultaneously.
> Timing of spoon lift should be similar for each of the marked samples.
> Then simply start at one end of the action holding each wippen while
> adjusting the spoon as you go.
> I use a regulation tool, 6mm rod with a slot in one end. The action can be
> either way around, whatever way works for you.
>
> Above procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes and yeilds very consistent
and
> repeatable results.
> For obvious reasons the lift timing must be spot on and  lift rail
bushings
> etc in good condition.
>
>  It is also described in Reblitz's Piano Servicing book in the appendix
> (though the method he uses to prop up the lift rail is different  the
> general procedure is the same)
>
> I also followed this tread on spring tension and agree that it is
important
> and impacts directly on the touch.
> Try adjusting a spring one way or the other then play over it a few times
> and you will feel the effect it has.
> Same can be said for spoons too.
>
> Cheers,
> Graeme Harvey
> New Plymouth NZ
>
> Richard Brekne wrote.......
>
> >In anycase.. I agree that many seem (myself included) to shrug
> >away from regulateing damper spoons.. probably cus the darn
> >things are hidden from view when doing this, as is usual (and
> >neccessary ??) with the action installed. I questioned neccessary
> >because I seem to remember seeing something about a jig and
> >accompanying procedure for doing this job on the bench... anyone
> >remember anything about this.. or know about it ??
>
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