It would be better if we knew how much lead was already in the keys. From that period, there tends to be not that much and you might be able to get a way with a leverage change plus some lead added. Capstan moves are easier than knuckle moves and you can accomplish your goal without compromising the jack knuckle interface angle if you don't have to move the capstan off the repetition cushion. Even then, you can sometimes add some felt to the front edge of the cushion. Otherwise, given the weights below, my guess is that you will need to move the knuckle to 17 mm and compromise the jack angle slightly. Short of replacing all parts, anything you can do will be a compromise. David Love davidlovepianos at comcast.net www.davidlovepianos.com -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Barbara Richmond Sent: Monday, August 21, 2006 5:50 PM To: Pianotech Subject: lesser of touch weight evils... Hi all, Took a look at a Steinway A III (1921) today at a church. The action had been rebuilt sometime in the transition out of Teflon. The repetitions are Teflon, but the shanks/flanges are cloth bushed & have those dark colored knuckles. The piano plays like a truck, but sounds fairly nice (I'm assuming the restringing job was done at the same time). Of course, the instrument has just been purchased (a technician, not I, gave it the OK--I would have OK'd it, but mentioned the action) and there is either not enough money for a new action, or the music director feels like he would take a lot of heat for buying a piano that could use a new action. I pointed out to him that he got a good price for the piano and investing in a new action wouldn't make their cash outlay more than it's worth. The music director doesn't mind the touch, but he uses the piano for teaching and the students are struggling. # D U C1 78 30 C2 75 20 C3 65 21 C4 64 29 C5 64 25 C6 64 24 C7 62 23 C8 54 25 As you can see, the friction is high--I checked out the hammer flange pinning--some were a problem and some were not. I figure some repinning, polishing and lubing w/Teflon powder will help <somewhat>. I measured the knuckle/center pin distance and it varied from 15 to 16 mm with everything in between. The16 mm was only on C8, by the way. Maybe I don't have enough information, but here's the question anyway: In an effort to do something that would help--if I were to use that handy Kaplan knuckle moving jig and install new knuckles at say, 16mm, do you think it would make enough of a difference in the touch, or would I just be spinning my wheels because of the Teflon repetitions. Stupid me, I didn't have test parts with me (40 miles from home) and, of course, didn't travel with my Stanwood kit because I was told it only needed a little regulating. Lesson learned. BTW, I used my new Edward's action caddy today. It's pretty slick! Thanks for your thoughts, Barbara Richmond, RPT near Peoria, IL
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC