Lubrication as a wear preventative.

[gordon stelter]

List,
     This general discussion on friction and factory
set-up of weighting leads me to wonder what
manufacturers pre-lubricate their centers ( beyond the
natural lanolin ) so that weight and leverage are the
prime aspects contributing to the "touch", and to
inhibit future wear.
     I would also like to get opinions on favored
center pin lubricants.
     Thump

--- Ryan Sowers <pianorye@yahoo.com> wrote:

> Andre, 
>  
> Great discussion : )
>  
> I agree with you that, in general, pianists like to
> have a "substantial" feel at the key that results
> from the weight of the action. Again, I'm not an
> advocate of feather light actions. My own personal
> preference for downweight is around 50 grams. And
> I'm not a big "light hammer" fan, and I'm even less
> a heavy hammer fan. But I am a low friction fan. 
>  
> Does this mean I'm an advocate of no friction? Of
> course not. But I think generally most pianos can
> benifit from reducing friction. Of course you don't
> do anything without talking to the client about what
> the results are going to be. 
>  
> Some pianists do indeed like a heavier touch. But we
> have also seen throughout this discussion that some
> excellent pianists prefer lighter touches as well.
> Do MOST pianists like a heavier touch? I don't think
> so. Will they prefer a heavier touch that is easier
> to control than a light touch that is not? Of
> course. But I think what most people will love is a
> piano that's easy to play AND easy to control. 
>  
> Light touch (moderate, not extreme!) and excellent
> control are certainly not mutualy exclusive!
>  
> If reducing the friction causes the downweight to
> dramatically decrease it probably indicates that the
> action friction was too high in the factory and they
> made up for it in the key leading process. How often
> have we seen key leads trying to mask over other
> action problems? Too often it seems to me!
>  
> It seems that factory specs and set up are biased
> toward mass production. It is easier to put weights
> in the keys than to meticulously address friction
> issues. 
>  
> 
> antares <antares@euronet.nl> wrote:
> 
> We still have the fact that most pianists like to
> feel a clear 
> 'response' caused by for instance the combined
> weight of keys, dampers, 
> action parts, the moment of let off and drop.
> Whether the instruments 
> plays light or heavy depends on the wish of the
> pianist and the skill 
> and experience of the technician.
> Applying too much anti-friction material causes an
> action not only to 
> feel light and speedy, but also slippery and
> uncontrollable.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Ryan Sowers, RPT  Puget Sound Chapter
> Pianova Piano Service
> Olympia, WA
> 		
> ---------------------------------
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