New Steinway -Tight action centers

[David Love]

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I find it hard to believe that David Kirkland never heard of this =
problem before (not that I don't believe you).  Permafree 2 has had =
problems for years with tight centers.  The problem often manifests =
itself in the damper flanges as well.  The traditional Steinway fix has =
been to use methanol.  But it can be unpredictable and the centers can =
become too loose.  Alcohol and water will work to ease the bushings, but =
don't use heat.  Apply and let dry overnight.  The pinning is not likely =
to be even and after treating the centers it would be wise (though =
possibly not covered by the warranty) to check the flange pinning and =
repin as necessary.  Unfortunately, Steinway prepping prior to sale is =
hit or miss as it depends on the motivation of the dealer.  Steinway's =
are not well prepped out of the factory and a thorough going over needs =
to be done on all of them.  On a Steinway out of the factory I would =
figure 12-15 hours including regulation and voicing to get the piano =
ready.  If they haven't done that at the dealer, then you shouldn't be =
surprised to have to put in some time.  In answer to your questions:

1.  Protek will lubricate until it evaporates.  Then, if the centers are =
too tight, it will again become evident.  Protek will have no effect on =
sizing overtight bushings.

2.  Alcohol/water will be effective but unpredictable.  Don't use heat =
and be prepared to check and repin if necessary.

3.  Tight centers on new Steinways are common.

4.  If there is graphite in the spring slots (the underside of the =
balancier where the rep springs slides) I wouldn't worry about it.  That =
area is usually lubricated with something similar.  The top of the =
balancier, on the other hand, should have no black stuff.  Out of the =
factory, the lubricant that appears on the top of the balancier is =
greenish in color and is quite dry.

David Love =20
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Tom Driscoll=20
  To: pianotech@ptg.org=20
  Sent: October 20, 2002 9:52 PM
  Subject: New Steinway -Tight action centers


  List,

              I'm servicing a Steinway M. "Sapelle "Veneer. Very pretty. =
This piano is two years old and my client was complaining about =
playability. Lettoff and drop was all over the place, tight balance rail =
holes, jacks needing alignment to knuckles. All this corrected with the =
usual procedures, including Mclube on key pins, Teflon powder on =
knuckles. Also noticed what looked like Graphite grease in the balancier =
(rep-lever)spring seats.=20

              I found the hammer shank action centers to be very tight. =
Two- Three swings only. I had no luck with protek on a sample.

              I consulted with Steinway N.Y. and spoke with David =
Kirkland in Tech services. He was very supportive but had never heard of =
this problem before. He mentioned that these centers were treated with =
liquid Teflon and shouldn't be tight---" permafree two" I think he =
called them. When I mentioned protek David suggested that it generally =
is a short term fix and suggested alcohol -water treatment to resize the =
bushings

              So--- My questions trusted colleagues:

             =20

  1.      If treated with liquid Teflon at the factory, why would Protek =
CPL (Teflon) be short-term in the field?

            =20

  2.      Will the alc-water treatment be effective on a center so =
treated?





  3.      Have you seen tight centers on other new Steinways?



  4.      Could that black stuff on the reps really be graphite and is =
it factory applied?







  As I mentioned the gentleman was supportive and authorized the =
aforementioned warranty service, but I think I might have to ream and =
repin at least a portion of these.

  Opinions?

             =20

              Tom Driscoll RPT

             =20


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