Shaving Steinway Double Flanges

[Bill Ballard]

Dear List,

I'm finishing up on a Steinway 1883 Model F (older brother to K), 
swapping damper levers and double flanges. If I'd been able to 
convince the owner to install new butts as well, I wouldn't have to 
worry about the mismatch of the 1883 buts and the Tokiwa double 
flanges. The new are slightly wider (not a problem)

However, the space into which the half-bird's eye and butt plate slip 
into the front of the double flanges H-shape. 0.020" narrower the new 
double flange than the old. I'm going to be able to shave the 20 mils 
off manually, using a machinist vice, an adjustable parallel slightly 
narrower than the thickness of the flange, and my freshly sharpened 
felt knife. The height of the adjustable parallel is set as a 
reference, so that the  flange when set on its side on the parallel 
in the jaws, will sit high enough so that the flange leg will be 20 
mils proud above the tops of the jaws. The felt knife runs along the 
top of the jaws, levering downwards on the bevel of its grind. (Yes, 
you have to keep track of the grain even when shaving off this thin a 
peal. DAMHIK)

But I'm curious. Has anybody tried to slim down a flange leg(?), say 
a specified and uniform 20 mils. Certainly a milling machine, but few 
of us have that. How about a table saw (sliding fence jig)? A router 
table (once again a sliding jig)? An over-arm router would nice. A 1" 
saw blade mounted in a Dremel miniature milling machine?

Also, it helps when your confirming the compatibility of the new and 
old parts to check with more than just the eyeballs. I'm not happy 
about disturbing those damper levers (and the regulation based 
thereon).

Bill Ballard RPT
NH Chapter, P.T.G.

"When writing a mental note, first procure a mental piece of paper"
     ............mental graffitti
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