Vertical damper spoons

[philromano@attglobal.net]

Terry,

This procedure is described in detail in Bill Spurlock's PACE lesson plans
for vertical regulation in the  Journal (early to mid 1990's). Sometimes the
keys must come out ( compact console) to gain easier access to the spoons.
Obviously, on full sixe uprights this is not a problem. The block is help to
the strings by wedging a hammer (piece of hammer felt or whatever) at each
end of the section you're working on, to hold the block in place. My block
is ten inches long and 7/8" x 1". The two different dimensions allow for
adjusting the spoons to either lift at half the blow distance or 2/3 to
allow for a heavier touch if required.Very slick. After a couple of tries
you'll find it takes longer to remove and replace the keys than it does to
adjust the spoons.  Try it!

I think I will try Graeme's method too the next time I do any upright bench
regulation.

Phil Romano
Myrtle Beach, SC


----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 03, 2001 6:22 AM
Subject: Re: Vertical damper springs


> 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