jack springs in drop action

[John Formsma]

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Julia,

Joe's right about it being somewhat challenging - especially on a spinet
when the stickers get in the way. I'd try everything first before I remove
this action.

I reach in there first with a long tweezers to get most of the spring out -
it usually breaks. Then, while holding on to the wippen so as to prevent any
damage, pull the rest of the wire out with a small needle nose pliers, which
usually gets the glue out with it. I normally don't have to use the hole
cleaning tool.

I place a bit of glue on the bottom of the new spring before it goes in, but
you could use a sharpened hammer shank to put it in the hole first. Then, if
the planets are aligned just right, and you hold your tongue a certain way,
you can use the tweezers to squeeze the new spring and work it into place.
It'll likely take a while to get the hang of it if it's the first time
you've had to do this.

If you must remove this action, you'll first have to remove the player stuff
too. Plan on it taking a while since you'll have to figure it out.

Let us know how it goes. May the Force be with you!

Regards,

John Formsma

 -----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On Behalf
Of Joe And Penny Goss
Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2004 11:01 AM
To: Pianotech
Subject: Re: jack springs in drop action


  Hi Julia,
  It is possible to remove and replace the spring without removing the
action. But for 6 or more, standing on my head is not my favorite thing to
do.
  Remove spring by grabbing with a forceps plier ( they grab and lock on the
item being held and are very thin ) and twist the spring arround the jaws
pulling it out of the hole.
  The hard part will be cleaning the springs base hole out. There is a
special tool for this that looks like a round saw. Droping the bridal strap
will allow you to use the tool but you may need the new updated blue
language dictionary to complete the removal of the old glue from the hole.
A drop of Gorilla glue in the hole and insert the new spring. Remember only
a drop as this glue expands.
  I hope all goes well.
  Joe Goss
  imatunr@srvinet.com
  www.mothergoosetools.com
    ----- Original Message -----
    From: Alpha88x@aol.com
    To: pianotech@ptg.org
    Sent: Thursday, June 03, 2004 8:58 AM
    Subject: jack springs in drop action


    Greetings,

                I was called to tune a Kimball spinet player piano the other
day on which a few (6) of the keys didnt work, only to find out that the
jacks on these 6 keys were not returning all the way under the butt. This
prevents the jack from delivering power the hammer.

                 At first I thought the jack's center pin bushings were
tight and swollen, then I saw the jack springs looked like they could use
replacing. Is anyone familiar with this type of piano?

                  Also, if the springs need replacing, is there a special
tool or tweezer to reach back in there (drop action) to replace the spring?
Am I in for alot of labor here or what? Now I am thinking rehaps just a
touch of a lubricant on the hammer's butt leather will do the trick. I didnt
try that. Any suggestions?

    Thanks,
    Julia Gottchall,
    Reading, PA

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