getting punch(y)ings

[Paul Chick (EarthLink)]

David
I also use this method to level keys. My straight edge is a very light piece
of aluminum angle. It will "lift" off the key if  the double punchings are
too snug, before the key moves downward. Backlighting the straight edge
helps.

Paul Chick
----- Original Message -----
From: "David Love" <davidlovepianos@earthlink.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, February 23, 2002 12:21 AM
Subject: Re: getting punch(y)ings


>  Another tip, when trying to determine what punching to place under the
key,
> glue two of each of the different size punchings together and keep them as
> guides.  When you lay the straight edge, test the gap by sliding these
> double punchings into the gap.  Since a punching placed halfway back at
the
> balance rail will raise the key approximately twice its thickness, this
> gives you a very quick way to determine what should go under there.  So if
> the space between the leveling stick and the top of the key will
accommodate
> two blue punchings exactly, put one under the balance rail and that will
get
> you very close.  You can usually do the leveling job in two passes.  I
don't
> know about anyone else, but key leveling is right up there with my
favorite
> activities next to polishing key pins and cleaning the bathroom.
>
> David Love
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Dave Nereson" <dnereson@dimensional.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: February 21, 2002 5:27 PM
> Subject: Re: getting punch(y)ings
>
>
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: <Bigeartb@AOL.COM>
> > To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> > Sent: Wednesday, February 20, 2002 7:34 PM
> > Subject: Re: getting punch(y)ings
> >
> >
> > > Wilem:
> > > I bought a sponge in a glass container in order to keep my finger
> > damp....no
> > > licking. But while we're on this subject, some technicians evidently
> level
> > > the keys by cutting a "V" in the punchings so they can insert them
> without
> > > removing the keys. Do you know anything about this technique? Is is
> > > acceptable practice?
> > >
> > > Tommy Black
> > > Decatur, Ala.
> >
> >     I'm not Wilem, but cutting a 'V', or just a radial cut straight
across
> > one side of the punching, is for when you tip a grand action up on the
> edge
> > of the back rail -- then keys can be lifted up and punchings inserted
from
> > underneath.  Kenzo Utsunomiya at Yamaha's Little Red Schoolhouse uses
this
> > method.  He makes chalk marks first on the front rail telling him what
> size
> > punchings he needs to insert.  I will use it only for a few keys, to
avoid
> > unscrewing the stack.  Otherwise, I think it's a big hassle.  You of
> course
> > have to remove the keystop rail for any method of key leveling.  But
with
> > this method of standing the action up on its back edge,  you also have
to
> > watch that the drop screws don't gouge the stretcher, and drape
something
> > over it if they're going to.   With some grand actions, the keys extend
> back
> > farther than the back rail, so when you tip it up on edge, the keys want
> to
> > ride up on their pins, the action isn't in a stable position, and it's
> quite
> > difficult to lift keys and insert punchings.  It's difficult, no matter
> what
> > type of action.  If the key is over part of the keyframe (the slats that
> > span between the balance and front rails), it's just hell to get the
> > tweezers in there at the right angle and get the cut punching to go on
to
> > the pin -- a 'V' does work better than just a plain cut, though.  You're
> > supposed to face right and let the action lean against your left hip,
> > leaving both hands free for manipulating keys and punchings.  But if you
> > have to do some keys way down in the first octave, you have to face left
> and
> > preferably be left-handed.   It can be done, with the right attitude, as
> > David Love describes.  The stick propping up the action sounds
precarious
> to
> > me.  I would think the weight of the action would tip the bench over.  I
> > dunno -- to me it's much easier to take the
> > stack off and use the weights on the backchecks (unless it's just a few
> > keys).        --David Nereson, RPT, Denver
> > >
> >
> >
> >
>