This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment Hello, Methanol is a alcohol too (but from wood). 3 1/2 a half seems enough to hammer flange for a grand (slightly more in the high treble is ok too ). I used to worry about the graphite gunk in the balancier slot, but have find it to act as a regulator of the spring tension, anyway when not too old. As it slows the top of the lever it eventually send more energy towards the key , thus helping more repetition that a very slippery spring that will tend to push up the hammer too fast. any idea about it ? Isaac OLEG -----Message d'origine----- De : pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]De la part de David Love Envoyé : lundi 21 octobre 2002 07:25 À : Pianotech Objet : Re: New Steinway -Tight action centers 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 ----- Original Message ----- From: Tom Driscoll To: pianotech@ptg.org 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. 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: 1. If treated with liquid Teflon at the factory, why would Protek CPL (Teflon) be short-term in the field? 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? Tom Driscoll RPT ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/1d/7b/2a/61/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC