Steinway parts - whippen heel

[Roger Jolly]

Hi David,
             We are playing from the same sheet. Evaluate, evaluate,
evaluate before you pick up the phone and order.  It's not rocket science.

Regards Roger



At 05:44 PM 5/12/02 -0700, you wrote:
>I agree that mix and match can create some problems.  But not always.  I
>have mixed Renner wippens with Abel shanks with good results.  The old
>teflon pianos seem to have leverage problems resulting in high front
>weights.  My general way of working is to analyze the action leverage with
>the old parts first with several samples.  After figuring out an average, I
>decide whether I need to select a different knuckle position and/or move the
>capstan to get the leverage I want.  When I know that, I will try different
>parts to make sure I get the type of regulation I want.  Then I calculate a
>maximum strike weight curve based on the action ratio and maximum key
>leading.  I reduce the maximum leading by at least 10% and recalculate the
>SW curve accordingly.  Then I target a hammer weight curve based on the
>shank I will use (1.8 g for a Renner, 1.6 for an Abel).  Then I bore and
>taper the hammers to try and get the target hammer weight.  Install and do
>the weigh off using the balance weight method.  Works every time.  Of
>course, I do the bushing work and key felt work and try to control friction
>prior to doing the weigh off.
>
>David Love
>
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Roger Jolly" <baldyam@sk.sympatico.ca>
>To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
>Sent: May 12, 2002 11:26 AM
>Subject: Re: Steinway parts - whippen heel
>
>
>> At 11:18 AM 5/12/02 -0700, you wrote:
>> >Whichever, the point was that it didn't quite fit correctly whereas
>another
>> >manufacturer's parts might have.
>> >
>> >David Love
>> >
>> Hi David,
>>               A personal observation.  When mix and match parts seem to be
>> in the equation, thats when the real geometry problems raises it's ugly
>> head.  I have found several Steinway's, of the teflon era, that have had
>> Renner hammers and shanks replaced, with the original wippens retained. In
>> each case the results have been disasterous.
>>  When ever I have replaced both wips and shanks with a single
>> manufacturer's products, the out come has been satisfactory.
>> Our proceedure is as follows.
>>
>> 1. Refurbish, and rebush the keys and key bed.Get the friction even in
>this
>> area.
>> 2. Do a touch weight analysis, on the old action parts.
>> 3. Do sample touch weight analysis with, American, Japanese, and German
>parts.
>> Using sample hammers of the type I will be ordering,at 4 points across the
>> scale.
>>
>> This method makes the outcome very predictable, with minimum lead
>weighting
>> changes.  Unless I have felt the front weight is tooooooooo high to start
>> with.
>> It's not unusual to be able to remove some lead on the teflon era actions.
>> If you spot 6 leads per key in the lower bass, you have an opportunity to
>> dramatically improve the action with careful parts selection.
>>
>> Just my 2 cents worth.
>>
>> Regards Roger
>> Roger Jolly
>> Balwin Yamaha Piano Centres.
>> Saskatoon/Regina.
>> Canada.
>>
>
>
Roger Jolly
Balwin Yamaha Piano Centres.
Saskatoon/Regina.
Canada.