New Steinway Hammer replacement

[Richard Brekne]

Not knowing your level of experience makes it difficult at
best to advise. I do know that a seasoned tech can
accomplish this task without any real difficulty and well
within the time window you give. But you sound a bit unsure
of yourself in your posting and I might throw up just a
small warning flag about allowing yourself plenty of time on
important jobs you are not thoroughly routined on.

I'm not sure what can really speed up a job without the
expense of quality beyond experience for the most part. But
perhaps a safe way of going is to first change every other
hammer and shank, while most exactly keeping to the original
hammer line. Then doing the second half. This works
reasonably well if you have the same dimensions in the
shanks, hammer bore, etc.

If you are secure in getting parts on and aligned quickly
and correctly, then regulation should be no problem either I
would think. I personally just use spec books like the one
you mention below as a general reference. 

Voicing is another concern. Voicing of new hammers using
lacquer is not my bag, and I prefer to go the other way
myself. But I wouldn't do anything voicing wise until you
are at the piano. I assume you have only the action at your
shop, so this will probably mean a couple trips out to the
site to get the job done.

Above all, don't hesitate to get help from your chapter.
Hey... that's part of what we have these thing for... or
what ?

Good Luck

RicB


>      ----- Original Message -----
>      From: Arthur Chickering
>      To: pianotech@ptg.org
>      Sent: August 04, 2002 8:12 AM
>      Subject: New Steinway Hammer replacement
> 
>      Dear List,
>      I am putting a new set of Steinway hammers
>      shanks and flanges on a 1901 model A grand.
>      This piano is on an island off the coast of
>      Maine which is an hour ferry trip one way.  This
>      piano is used by the Fox Island Concert
>      Association and they will be using this piano
>      August 14 th for a solo concert.  I will not
>      have much time to put these hammers on and get
>      them regulated and voiced for this concert.
>      This is the first set of Steinway hammers I have
>      had to replace.  I am looking for some help in
>      the preparation, regulation and voicing methods
>      that you use on these hammers and any methods
>      that might speed up this job. A step by step
>      guide would be very helpful so that I don't make
>      any major mistakes that could waste time.  I
>      have done several grand regulations, but I do
>      not have much voicing experience and none using
>      lacquer and acetone.  I was told by Kent Webb to
>      use 1part lacquer and 3 parts acetone and to
>      soak the hammers completely.  If anyone has
>      experince with this method or a different method
>      your help would be greatly appreciated.
>      I do have the Steinway Technical Reference
>      Guide, but I am looking for more specific
>      individual methods that you have developed from
>      experince with these hammers.
>      I am afraid of getting these hammers too hard
>      and have difficulty voicing them.
> 
>      Thanks for your help.
> 
>      Arthur Chickering
>      Associate Member
>      Maine Chapter