Leveling Sticks WAS: Steinway D key levelling (Hamburg model)

[Cy Shuster]

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment
Merci bien, Isaac.  That's a great idea to stand at the side of the =
piano and look at lines reflected in the keytops, to check the final =
alignment.  I've tried a small laser pointer, too, putting it on the top =
few keys and depressing them to align it to the keytops, but it's not =
very useful practically.  The first high key stops the beam.

--Cy Shuster--
Rochester, MN
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Isaac sur Noos=20
  To: Pianotech=20
  Sent: Monday, October 20, 2003 4:24 PM
  Subject: RE: Leveling Sticks WAS: Steinway D key levelling (Hamburg =
model)


  CY,

  Train yourself to insert open paper punchings. The key level was done =
once, and unless the actyion is really tired you can level a lot without =
having to disassemble the action.

  Anyway, after having made a leveling with the weights, when you put =
everything back in the piano, yoy always have to insert supplement =
punching (or compress some others) to have your "perfect" level.
  The final test is that you shoud see in the keyboard lines reflected =
like in a mirror (no scales)

  For that reason it is important to straighten the front of the ley to =
compensate for bushing wear, or decompensate ith the bushing have been =
renewed.

  I don't believe in leveling on the bench, only rough leveling can be =
done there. The precise job can only be done with the action in place =
and in the piano.

  By precise job I mean, the height of the keys is consistent, and the =
pressure on the bolts is even, andfront and back of the key frame are =
bedded.

  I precut batches of paper punching (Yamaha ones) with my center pin =
cutter, and check the level with my rule (eben a short rule is OF for =
flat keybeds. Then I eyeball what punchings I will need and I install =
them under the front punching felt.
  Then I take the action at 45=B0 and install those.
  The black keys are easier to insert from below.

  While holding the action at 45 =B0 there is enough weight on the keys =
to check for holes.

  You can also check with a light finger the surface of the keys, it is =
easy to feel the holes and their size while sliding a finger along the =
keys.
  Take care not to scratch the strecher with the drop screw, mars are =
not very decoratives.

  I just dressed an almost complete Yamaha C3 keyboard this afternoon , =
not done since 18 years.
  Took me 1hour 1/2 whites and sharps. ( but I was not necessary to ad =
very thick punchings , only a few 0.15 mm and a few 0.008 mm ones)

  BTW the correct size for the paper punching is around half of the =
thickness of the "hole" with some experience you choose the right amount =
immediately.

  I've not seen how the use a "heavy  rule" at the Steinway factory, but =
I understand it is an appliable method, as you always have to finish =
with the stack screwed. I have on some occasion pre-dressed a keyboard =
with my fingers pressure at the back of the keys, not perfect but it =
worked.=20

  As often, in piano regulation, it is useless to try to attain =
perfection at the first pass, unless you fairly know what you are doing =
exactly.

  Working the most in front of the instrument gives you whit time a =
better understanding on how things evolve , and an immediate control on =
what you are changing.


  Hope that helps.

  Regards.

  Isaac OLEG




  Isaac OLEG

  Entretien et r=E9paration de pianos.

  PianoTech
  17 rue de Choisy
  94400 VITRY sur SEINE
  FRANCE
  tel : 033 01 47 18 06 98
  fax : 033 01 47 18 06 90
  cell: 06 60 42 58 77=20

    -----Message d'origine-----
    De : pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]De =
la part de Cy Shuster
    Envoy=E9 : lundi 20 octobre 2003 15:11
    =C0 : Pianotech
    Objet : Re: Leveling Sticks WAS: Steinway D key levelling (Hamburg =
model)


    Would a length of chain be heavy enough?  A sock full of pennies =
(finally, a use for them)?  I guess from Ron's comment I should go =
search the archives -- sorry to rehash old stuff, but since I'm =
learning, it's interesting.

    --Cy Shuster--
    Rochester, MN
      ----- Original Message -----=20
      From: Farrell=20
      To: Pianotech=20
      Sent: Monday, October 20, 2003 6:56 AM
      Subject: Re: Leveling Sticks WAS: Steinway D key levelling =
(Hamburg model)


      I had never heard of this idea before now. Interesting. I think I =
understand what is being described. A rod packed with loose-fitting =
washers. The loose washer allows a key being removed to push up the few =
washers at its location without disturbing other washers sitting on =
other keys. Right? Where do you lay the washer-rod? Seems like anywhere =
forward of the backcheck would be problematic - but then there isn't =
much room behind the backcheck....... Additional info would be =
appreciated.

      Terry Farrell
---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/0c/8b/5b/0d/attachment.htm

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--