<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2600.0" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE>@page Section1 {size: 8.5in 11.0in; margin: 1.0in 1.25in 1.0in = 1.25in; } P.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman" } LI.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman" } DIV.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman" } A:link { COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } SPAN.MsoHyperlink { COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } A:visited { COLOR: purple; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } SPAN.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { COLOR: purple; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } SPAN.EmailStyle17 { COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: Arial } DIV.Section1 { page: Section1 } OL { MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in } UL { MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in } </STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY lang=EN-US vLink=purple link=blue bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><SPAN class=162374706-21102002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2>Hello,</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=162374706-21102002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=162374706-21102002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2>Methanol is a    alcohol too (but from wood).</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=162374706-21102002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2>3 1/2 a half seems enough to hammer flange for a grand (slightly more in the = high treble is ok too</FONT> <FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>).</FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=162374706-21102002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=162374706-21102002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2>I used to worry about the graphite gunk in the balancier slot, but have find it = to act as a regulator of the spring tension, anyway when not too old. As it = slows the top of the lever it eventually send more energy towards the key , thus = helping more repetition that a very slippery spring that will tend to push up = the hammer too fast.</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=162374706-21102002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=162374706-21102002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2>any idea about it ?</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=162374706-21102002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2></FONT></SPAN> </DIV> <DIV><SPAN class=162374706-21102002><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff = size=2>Isaac OLEG</FONT></SPAN></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px = solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT = face=Tahoma size=2>-----Message d'origine-----<BR><B>De :</B> pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]<B>De la = part de</B> David Love<BR><B>Envoyé :</B> lundi 21 octobre 2002 07:25<BR><B>À :</B> Pianotech<BR><B>Objet :</B> Re: New = Steinway -Tight action centers<BR><BR></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>I find it hard to believe that David Kirkland = never heard of this problem before (not that I don't believe you).  Permafree 2 = has had problems for years with tight centers.  The problem often = manifests itself in the damper flanges as well.  The traditional Steinway = fix has been to use methanol.  But it can be unpredictable and the = centers can become too loose.  Alcohol and water will work to ease the = bushings, but don't use heat.  Apply and let dry overnight.  The pinning = is not likely to be even and after treating the centers it would be wise = (though possibly not covered by the warranty) to check the flange pinning and = repin as necessary.  Unfortunately, Steinway prepping prior to sale is hit = or miss as it depends on the motivation of the dealer.  Steinway's are = not well prepped out of the factory and a thorough going over needs to be done = on all of them.  On a Steinway out of the factory I would figure 12-15 = hours including regulation and voicing to get the piano ready.  If they = haven't done that at the dealer, then you shouldn't be surprised to have to = put in some time.  In answer to your questions:</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>1.  Protek will lubricate until it = evaporates.  Then, if the centers are too tight, it will again become = evident.  Protek will have no effect on sizing overtight bushings.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>2.  Alcohol/water will be effective but unpredictable.  Don't use heat and be prepared to check and repin = if necessary.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>3.  Tight centers on new Steinways are common.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>4.  If there is graphite in the spring slots = (the underside of the balancier where the rep springs slides) I wouldn't = worry about it.  That area is usually lubricated with something = similar.  The top of the balancier, on the other hand, should have no black = stuff.  Out of the factory, the lubricant that appears on the top of the = balancier is greenish in color and is quite dry.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>David Love  </FONT></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B> <A title=tomtuner@attbi.com href="mailto:tomtuner@attbi.com">Tom = Driscoll</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A = title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> October 20, 2002 9:52 = PM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> New Steinway -Tight = action centers</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV class=Section1> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">List,</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">           = I’m servicing a Steinway M. “Sapelle “Veneer. Very pretty. = This piano is two years old and my client was complaining about playability. Lettoff = and drop was all over the place, tight balance rail holes, jacks needing = alignment to knuckles. All this corrected with the usual procedures, including = Mclube on key pins, Teflon powder on knuckles. Also noticed what looked like = Graphite grease in the balancier (rep-lever)spring seats. </SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">           = I found the hammer shank action centers to be very tight. Two- Three = swings only. I had no luck with protek on a sample.</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">           = I consulted with </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">Steinway</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial"> </SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">N.Y.</SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial"> and spoke with David Kirkland in Tech services. He was very supportive = but had never heard of this problem before. He mentioned that these centers = were treated with liquid Teflon and shouldn’t be tight---“ permafree = two” I think he called them. When I mentioned protek David suggested that it = generally is a short term fix and suggested alcohol –water treatment to resize = the bushings</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">           = So--- My questions trusted colleagues:</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">           = </SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: = -0.25in"><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">1.<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      = </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">If treated with liquid = Teflon at the factory, why would Protek CPL (Teflon) be short-term in the field?</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">           </SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: = -0.25in"><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">2.<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      = </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Will the alc-water = treatment be effective on a center so treated?</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: = -0.25in"><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">3.<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      = </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Have you seen tight = centers on other new Steinways?</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 1in"><FONT face=Arial = size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: = -0.25in"><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">4.<FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">      = </SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Could that black stuff = on the reps really be graphite and is it factory applied?</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial"></SPAN></FONT> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in"><FONT face=Arial = size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">As I mentioned the = gentleman was supportive and authorized the aforementioned warranty service, but I = think I might have to ream and repin at least a portion of = these.</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: = 0.5in"><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">Opinions?</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in"><FONT face=Arial = size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">           = </SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in"><FONT face=Arial = size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">           = Tom Driscoll RPT</SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0.5in"><FONT face=Arial = size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial">           = </SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>