<html> Hi Dave,              I agree completely. Sequence is every thing in quality damper work. Changing lift tray felt, and key end felt, can save a lot of time and hassles in the long run, on a well worn action. The Spurlock jig makes timing a snap. As a tip, Iron new felt with a warm clothes iron before installation, you will be amazed how few keys you will have to shim. just my 2c worth Roger At 06:19 PM 6/8/02 -0700, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>The only problem with this method is that it sets the timing for the pedal sometimes at the expense of the keys and the sostenuto.  You should really set all the damper levers on the same plane first using the height of the key end felt as a guide to insure proper timing from the keys (this is also needed for even sostenuto action).  Then you should make any adjustments necessary with the timing of the key end felt.  If there is unevenness in the level of the key end felt, then you need to either build up or trim down as needed testing each key.  Once that is accomplished, you can then set the lift from the pedal either shimming the tray felt or using adjustable capstans if the piano is equipped with them.    David Love <dl> <dd>----- Original Message ----- <dd>From: <a href="mailto:ramsey@extremezone.com">Kevin E. Ramsey</a> <dd>To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a> <dd>Sent: June 08, 2002 5:49 PM <dd>Subject: Re: Adjusting dampers to tray <dd>    Matt, what I do is perhaps the easiest, and usually gets me perfect results. ( I like what Roger had to say about installing new tray felt)  <dd>    What I do when I want to re-set damper timing, like when the dampers are almost down on the key ends, and lifting immediately, is to go under the piano and adjust the pedal rod nut up a bit. Then I come back up, put my finger on the top of a damper (lightly) and depress the key. The damper will stop the hammer rise where it contacts the back of the key. This is how I check the timing. I just raise the pedal rod nut until the damper timing is at one third to one half blow distance. Then I pull the action, loosen all the damper screws, lift the underlevers, making sure they're free. Then you can tap the dampers lightly down into position, re-tighten the screws, and re-regulate the pedal nut. After correcting the ones that inevitably twist upon tightening the screws, you're basically done. You'll inevitably run into some that are a little tight on the wire, but not bad enough to run a drill bit down into. just lift the underlever up on the wire, and after the dampers are down in position, tap the underlever down on the tray lightly. <dd>    All you're really doing is setting the timing to the same thing that will be lifting the dampers; the tray. <dd>    The only problem with this in a Steinway is that often the tray is not level. It will end up with a damper timing that's earlier in the bass and later in the treble, which is the opposite from what I'd really like. I just did this the other day, and after about a half hour's work, they all lifted perfectly with the pedal. It's a really good technique. Richard Davenport taught me this.  I've probably corrupted his technique, so if anyone has a problem with how I described it, blame me, not Richard. <dd>  <dd>  <dd>  <dd>  <dd>Kevin E. Ramsey <dd><a href="mailto:ramsey@extremezone.com">ramsey@extremezone.com</a> <dd>----- Original Message ----- <dd>From: <a href="mailto:ptuner@optonline.net">Matt Wynne</a> <dd>To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a> <dd>Sent: Friday, June 07, 2002 3:04 PM <dd>Subject: Adjusting dampers to tray <dd>Greeting esteemed colleagues: <dd>I will be reassembling a damper system in an old S&S grand.  It is one of <dd>those systems that was born without regulating screws on each underlever <dd>for adjustment to the lift tray.  Is there any efficient way to adjust them <dd>so that they all lift in unison with the pedal?  I'm aware of the old <dd>method using center rail punchings, or something similar, as shims, but <dd>there must be a better way.  Any advice would be appreciated. <dd>Thanks, <dd>-Matt Wynne</blockquote> <x-sigsep></x-sigsep> </dl>Roger</html>