[pianotech] Plastic Flange Replacement

[David Weiss]

Chuck, That's pretty much the method I used.  90% of wire bending was done in the shop. Still that last 10% can take se time to get just right. David Weiss 

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 13, 2013, at 6:53 AM, Chuck Behm <behmpiano at gmail.com> wrote:

> 
> >Or am I missing some quick & efficient way to use the original damper felt successfully and not spend a day bending damper wires? - Terry Farrell
> 
> Terry - Whatever you do, don't bust the remaining damper flanges before you begin to work. The bend on the damper wire levers that are remaining are essential if you don't want to spend waaay too much time on this project in the customers home.
> 
> Take the action to your shop, remove all the broken flange / lever assemblies and start from there. The new damper levers will come out of the box with wires that are straight and too long. 
> 
> Make a simple jig by clamping a short length of 1" X 4" in your vise. Drill 2 holes for flange screws so that you can screw down an old damper lever and a new damper lever side by side. 
> 
> Now, remove an existing damper lever that has missing lever / levers to one side. Screw the damper lever down to the jig, with a new lever on the side away from the slant. Bend the new wire to match the old wire, making sure your are matching the slant both viewed from the front and from the side. Cut the length by running a ruler from the top of the old wire to the top of the new wire, and snip. 
> 
> For sections of levers that are missing, look at the existing levers on either side of the missing section to see if there is a difference in the bend of the wires - there probably will be. If so, try gradually change the bend of the new wires to match the bend from the existing wire on the right side of the missing section to the existing wire on the left hand side of the missing section. Easier said than done, but worth spending the extra effort required.
> 
> As Wim said, use new dampers as well. No point of messing with the old ones. Get the type that come pre-backed and graduated for the treble. For the bass, you'll need new damper blocks and a set of felts, or use the old blocks if you want.
> 
> This process will get you close to a good fit, but you can expect to do some fine adjustment when you return the action to the piano.
> 
> If you would like some photos, contact me privately and I'll send some. Best of luck.  Chuck Behm