[pianotech] method of cutting bearings

[Joseph Garrett]

David Love asked: "Attached is a crude drawing of a balance rail bearing. I
posted this
question on the new list in response to something but ran into a road block
trying to get this drawing posted along with it, at least easily. I've been
trying to figure out a way to produce this type of cut (the diagonal line
represents the cut) uniformly on a set of balance rail bearings such that by
turning them either with the cut facing forward or back you could change the
action leverage easily and quickly. Looking for production ideas. The
bearing would need to be cut and then probably covered with felt, although I
suppose you could simply drop an unglued punching right down on top. 
 
Let me know what you think." 
 
David,
The balance rail bearing is nothing more than a piece of 1/2 round with a
hole in it and some thin action cloth felt over it. If I were to jig up to
do that, I'd get the raw 1/2 round; mount it on a board and then cut the
bevel, (as you've shown in the diagram). Once that is done, I'd cover the
stick of 1/2 round + bevel with the action cloth. For drilling and slicing
you could use the same type of jig used for cutting box
joints...drill..move to the next notch...drill..and so on. That could be
incorporated into the mounting board. For such jobs I employ my cross vice
in my drill press. A drill press does a whole lot of other things besides
drilling.<G>
I hope that helps.
Joe


Joe Garrett, R.P.T.
Captain of the Tool Police
Squares R I