<html> <body> Joe, Do you have written resources like the Reblitz book or the exam preparation books from the guild? Sticking keys can be front/center mortices too tight, corroded pins etc.  Perhaps the center mortice is not adequately milled. It can also be action pinning (especially hammer) too tight. There are tools to ease key mortices.  Protek Prolube works well also. Protek generally works well to loosen action pinning after it has dried out, it may tighten things for a few hours.  If you have the proper tools you can un-pin, ream and repin stubborn parts. Did you measure the humidity?  In wet weather pianos can develop all these problems.  Humidity control may be necessary.  Are the strings showing corrosion.  If so, it is time to sell a DC Piano Life Saver System and back-cover.  Besides protecting the piano from humidity extremes the system will also stabilize the sound-board resulting in tunings the are stable and unisons that sound good for much longer. Sincerely, Andrew Anderson At 03:25 PM 10/18/2006, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">Hi everyone,   I'm a relatively new piano tuner (full time for about six months.)   I tuned a 5 year old upright Yang Chung this morning.The woman hasn't played it very much.   There were many "stickey keys." Whatever I tried did not work (I'm still learning repairs with my teacher.)   I would appreciate any suggestions on how to "unstick" the keys.   Thanks.   Joe Rosenberg ----- Original Message ---- From: "pianotech-request@ptg.org" <pianotech-request@ptg.org> To: pianotech@ptg.org Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 1:36:08 AM Subject: Pianotech Digest, Vol 1280, Issue 59 Send Pianotech mailing list submissions to     pianotech@ptg.org To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit     <a href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives"> https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</a> or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to     pianotech-request@ptg.org You can reach the person managing the list at     pianotech-owner@ptg.org When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific than "Re: Contents of Pianotech digest..." Today's Topics:    1. New Hammers on Old Piano /Antares (Ric Brekne)    2. Former president Sid Stone (Steve Blasyak)    3. Re: OT  Key buttons (firmin1)    4. Laser Level for Bench Regulation (ed440@mindspring.com)    5. Re: Former president Sid Stone (John Ross)    6. Re: OT  Key buttons (John Ross)    7. Re: OT  Key buttons (John Ross)    8. Re: Laser Level for Bench Regulation (richard.ucci@att.net)    9. Re: Former president Sid Stone (Avery)   10. Re: Laser Level for Bench Regulation (Cy Shuster)   11. Re: Laser Level for Bench Regulation (Avery)   12. Re: Former president Sid Stone (Thomas Cole)   13. RE: Looking for specific caul (Isaac Sadigursky)   14. RE: Antique Pianos (Richard Moody) Hey !!! Look who drops in for a visit ! Hi there my friend ! Cheers RicB I just happen to take a glance at pianotech, and what do I see? They are still talking about hammers...... Apparently an issue one never gets tired of....... OOR Greetings from not so Sunny... but warm So. Cal.   This is not piano or PTG related, it is more of a personal notice to the tech list readers. Our former president and dear friend to anyone who knows him Sid Stone is prominently displayed on the front page of the Orange County Register this morning (10/15). Unfortunately the article has nothing to do with piano work or the PTG. The topic is eminent domain. Not to get into politics but a proposition restricting eminent domain powers will be on the ballot in California next month. Apparently Sid and his family were the (victims) of a Caltrans acquisitions some 35 years ago.    Well it's a sad story but anyone interested can read it online at OCREGESTER.COM.   Steve Blasyak <a href="mailto:atuneforyou@earthlink.net">atuneforyou@earthlink.net</a> EarthLink Revolves Around You.   Thanks for all the tips. I just bought a bandsaw for that purpose. I plan to use hot glue, so the waiting will be a bit longer between buttons. I have the Jaras jig, too. I am a stickler for hot glue, as that is all I have ever used, for 25 years now, and I am so used to it. So, I'll rough cut with band saw, then try to get more flush with band saw after gluing, then use a block plane.. Thanks! Berley Firmin II Is anyone out there using a laser level for bench regulating? This afternoon I bought a Gen-Tech Laser Level from Harbor Freight ($14.99) The laser rotates to send a horizontal or vertical plane of light, very useful. By setting it on some wood scraps and shimming with cards I could easily align it to first and last sample hammers in a section. It was very convenient for setting hammer line and back checks.  For some pianos it could perhaps also gauge let off and drop. Ed Sutton What is a Caltrans acquisition. I tried logging on to the site, but didn't know where to go. Would it be possible, to send the actual site for the page, please?   John M. Ross Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada <a href="mailto:jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca">jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca</a> <dl> <dd>----- Original Message ----- <dd>From: <a href="mailto:atuneforyou@earthlink.net">Steve Blasyak</a> <dd>To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a> <dd>Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 9:35 PM <dd>Subject: Former president Sid Stone <dd>Greetings from not so Sunny... but warm So. Cal. <dd>  <dd>This is not piano or PTG related, it is more of a personal notice to the tech list readers. Our former president and dear friend to anyone who knows him Sid Stone is prominently displayed on the front page of the Orange County Register this morning (10/15). Unfortunately the article has nothing to do with piano work or the PTG. The topic is eminent domain. Not to get into politics but a proposition restricting eminent domain powers will be on the ballot in California next month. Apparently Sid and his family were the (victims) of a Caltrans acquisitions some 35 years ago.  <dd>  <dd>Well it's a sad story but anyone interested can read it online at OCREGESTER.COM. <dd>  <dd>Steve Blasyak <dd><a href="mailto:atuneforyou@earthlink.net"> atuneforyou@earthlink.net</a> <dd>EarthLink Revolves Around You. <dd>  </dl>When you say hot glue, I hope you mean hide glue, heated in a pot, and not that stuff that comes in sticks. John M. Ross Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca ----- Original Message ----- From: "firmin1" <firmin1@bellsouth.net> To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 9:12 PM Subject: Re: OT Key buttons > Thanks for all the tips. I just bought a bandsaw for that purpose. I plan > to use hot glue, so the waiting will be a bit longer between buttons. I > have the Jaras jig, too. I am a stickler for hot glue, as that is all I > have ever used, for 25 years now, and I am so used to it. > So, I'll rough cut with band saw, then try to get more flush with band saw > after gluing, then use a block plane.. > Thanks! > Berley Firmin II > Oh and rather than a block plain, after sawing, I use a belt sander. The one inch one on a machine, with a plate. John M. Ross Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca ----- Original Message ----- From: "firmin1" <firmin1@bellsouth.net> To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 9:12 PM Subject: Re: OT Key buttons > Thanks for all the tips. I just bought a bandsaw for that purpose. I plan > to use hot glue, so the waiting will be a bit longer between buttons. I > have the Jaras jig, too. I am a stickler for hot glue, as that is all I > have ever used, for 25 years now, and I am so used to it. > So, I'll rough cut with band saw, then try to get more flush with band saw > after gluing, then use a block plane.. > Thanks! > Berley Firmin II > How about key leveling? <dl> <dd>-------------- Original message from ed440@mindspring.com: -------------- <dd>> Is anyone out there using a laser level for bench regulating? <dd>> This afternoon I bought a Gen-Tech Laser Level from Harbor Freight ($14.99) <dd>> The laser rotates to send a horizontal or vertical plane of light, very useful. <dd>> By setting it on some wood scraps and shimming with cards I could easily align <dd>> it to first and last sample hammers in a section. It was very convenient for <dd>> setting hammer line and back checks. For some pianos it could perhaps also <dd>> gauge let off and drop. <dd>> Ed Sutton </dl>John, I tried also and couldn't find it. Is there an actual link?????? Avery At 08:40 PM 10/15/2006, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">What is a Caltrans acquisition. I tried logging on to the site, but didn't know where to go. Would it be possible, to send the actual site for the page, please?   John M. Ross Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada <a href="mailto:jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca">jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca</a> <dl> <dd>----- Original Message ----- <dd>From: <a href="mailto:atuneforyou@earthlink.net">Steve Blasyak</a> <dd>To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a> <dd>Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 9:35 PM <dd>Subject: Former president Sid Stone <dd>Greetings from not so Sunny... but warm So. Cal. <dd>  <dd>This is not piano or PTG related, it is more of a personal notice to the tech list readers. Our former president and dear friend to anyone who knows him Sid Stone is prominently displayed on the front page of the Orange County Register this morning (10/15). Unfortunately the article has nothing to do with piano work or the PTG. The topic is eminent domain. Not to get into politics but a proposition restricting eminent domain powers will be on the ballot in California next month. Apparently Sid and his family were the (victims) of a Caltrans acquisitions some 35 years ago.  <dd>  <dd>Well it's a sad story but anyone interested can read it online at OCREGESTER.COM. <dd>  <dd>Steve Blasyak <dd><a href="mailto:atuneforyou@earthlink.net"> atuneforyou@earthlink.net</a> <dd>EarthLink Revolves Around You. <dd> </blockquote> </dl>I've tried it, with a horizontal beam.  It's not that useful; the highest key blocks the beam for the rest of the keyboard.   --Cy-- <dl> <dd>----- Original Message ----- <dd>From: <a href="mailto:richard.ucci@att.net">richard.ucci@att.net</a> <dd>To: <a href="mailto:ed440@mindspring.com">ed440@mindspring.com</a> ; <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech List</a> <dd>Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 7:53 PM <dd>Subject: Re: Laser Level for Bench Regulation <dd>How about key leveling? <dl> <dd>-------------- Original message from <a href="mailto:ed440@mindspring.com">ed440@mindspring.com</a>: -------------- <dd>> Is anyone out there using a laser level for bench regulating? <dd>> This afternoon I bought a Gen-Tech Laser Level from Harbor Freight ($14.99) <dd>> The laser rotates to send a horizontal or vertical plane of light, very useful. <dd>> By setting it on some wood scraps and shimming with cards I could easily align <dd>> it to first and last sample hammers in a section. It was very convenient for <dd>> setting hammer line and back checks. For some pianos it could perhaps also <dd>> gauge let off and drop. <dd>> Ed Sutton </dl> </dl>Hey Ed. You're getting pretty hi-tech there. I just do it the old-fashioned way! Of course, I'm an old fart, too! :-D Avery At 08:24 PM 10/15/2006, you wrote: >Is anyone out there using a laser level for bench regulating? >This afternoon I bought a Gen-Tech Laser Level from Harbor Freight ($14.99) >The laser rotates to send a horizontal or vertical plane of light, >very useful. >By setting it on some wood scraps and shimming with cards I could >easily align it to first and last sample hammers in a section. It >was very convenient for setting hammer line and back checks.  For >some pianos it could perhaps also gauge let off and drop. >Ed Sutton Go to: <a href="http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/investigations/caltrans2006/article_1311897.php"> http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/news/investigations/caltrans2006/article_1311897.php</a> Tom Cole Avery wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">John, I tried also and couldn't find it. Is there an actual link?????? Avery At 08:40 PM 10/15/2006, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">What is a Caltrans acquisition. I tried logging on to the site, but didn't know where to go. Would it be possible, to send the actual site for the page, please?   John M. Ross Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada <a href="mailto:jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca">jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca</a> <dl> <dd>----- Original Message ----- <dd>From: <a href="mailto:atuneforyou@earthlink.net">Steve Blasyak</a> <dd>To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a> <dd>Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 9:35 PM <dd>Subject: Former president Sid Stone <dd>Greetings from not so Sunny... but warm So. Cal. <dd>  <dd>This is not piano or PTG related, it is more of a personal notice to the tech list readers. Our former president and dear friend to anyone who knows him Sid Stone is prominently displayed on the front page of the Orange County Register this morning (10/15). Unfortunately the article has nothing to do with piano work or the PTG. The topic is eminent domain. Not to get into politics but a proposition restricting eminent domain powers will be on the ballot in California next month. Apparently Sid and his family were the (victims) of a Caltrans acquisitions some 35 years ago.  <dd>  <dd>Well it's a sad story but anyone interested can read it online at OCREGESTER.COM. <dd>  <dd>Steve Blasyak <dd><a href="mailto:atuneforyou@earthlink.net"> atuneforyou@earthlink.net</a> <dd>EarthLink Revolves Around You. <dd> </blockquote></blockquote> </dl>Hi,Geoff! I have a few dozen of those aluminum cauls.I�m still a strong proponent of Bill Spurlocks system and plastic-nylon ones.Those aluminum ones dull knifes or razor blades quickly.. I got mine from a retiring technician a few years back.. Hope,it helps.. Isaac   <hr> <div align="center"></div> From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [<a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org" eudora="autourl"> mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a>] On Behalf Of Geoff Sykes Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 11:49 AM To: Pianotech@Ptg. Org Subject: Looking for specific caul   Greetings listers --   Attached is a photo of an aluminum balance rail caul that I recently had the pleasure of using. This is not half of a two step caul system. It is designed for single step caul bushing of the balance rail. (The one in the photo is stamped .147.) The owner has four sets, all in single step caul sizes. The problem is that she has had them long enough that she does not remember where she purchased them, and I cannot find them in any catalog, nor can I find any other technician that recognizes them. Does anyone recognize this caul, and perhaps know from where they may be purchased?   -- Geoff Sykes -- Assoc. Los Angeles -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.408 / Virus Database: 268.13.4/476 - Release Date: 10/14/2006 Anne writes..     "It is impossible to make sweeping generalizations in a complex area such as this.  Each situation, each piano is different, and education and knowledge are the keys..... What is clear is, if you aren't sure, ask"..... I will ask, the 1852 Collard & Collard; is this a grand or a square grand? Has it sat untouched for years and years and thus the original parts are still intact?  Or have many and massive repairs to the strings action and keyboard been done over the years.  If by some miracle the most of the parts appear to be original and not worn but some of the strings are broken or silk threads (if any) broken or parchment hinges still intact but can't stand playing, if all of these parts are original then a museum might be interested in purchasing and conserving it.  In the museum Ed Sutton mentioned now called the National Music Museum in Vermillion SD they have several older keyboards mostly before 1830 but the 1852 Collard might be of interest.  Their dream acquisitions are instruments of performing quality (of their time) with as much original material as possible. With such a specimen their idea isn't to restore it to playing condition since conserving it as original as possible will mean more knowledge of the parts, processes, methods of construction , and design of its time will be preserved. If it has been repaired, rebuilt, repainted over the years and this is in the provenance, They might try to restore it to original condition using new duplicated parts and expect it to be played.     I could ask John Koster the conservator if he is interested in some pictures, or Google National Music Museum, join for  a year's membership ($30) to (55) and ask away.      Got any pictures?   ---ric     <a href="http://www.pnotec.com/">www.pnotec.com</a>  -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [<a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org" eudora="autourl"> mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a>] On Behalf Of a.acker@comcast.net Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 10:15 PM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Antique Pianos Stephane,  thanks for soliciting my opinions about how to deal with antique pianos and their owners and uses.   I have been too busy to write on this topic, as it is a huge one, and I correctly presumed there would be heated feelings.  I definitely don't have the energy to deal with that right now. This is a topic obviously near and dear to my heart as I make my living primarily with harpsichords and 18th and 19th century pianos.   As part of this,  I consult and advise owners as to the choices and implications for their individual situation and individual instrument. It is impossible to make sweeping generalizations in a complex area such as this.  Each situation, each piano is different, and education and knowledge are the keys. For example of a need for more knowledge, somebody was remarking about soundboards turning to dust.   Well, no they really don't.  I have heard 300 year old soundboard which were quite fabulous.  Now, if the instrument has been stored in a wet barn for 200 of those years and has suffered dramatic woodworm damage, that is another situation.  Please note that I am not advocating restoring 300 year old rare instruments by the prior remark. Nor am I criticizing the writer, for they are not completely wrong.  Many early 20th century soundboards are dead and need to be replaced.  This is rarely true of early and mid 19th century boards for various reasons.   So, this is simply a matter of more information, more knowledge. Anyway, there is too much to discuss here and I have no desire to get into arguments at this time.  I give talks on this topic, and myself and others are trying to get going panel discussions and educational sessions at the PTG conventions on this very matter. What is clear is, if you aren't sure, ask.   Respect the instrument, respect the owner, respect knowledge.  Don't assume you know everything, for hubris learns little and makes mistakes.   If you are uncomfortable about an antique instrument, don't degrade the instrument, refer the owner to somebody else.   There is plenty of work out there on non-antique pianos, so why take it on if you don't really want to?  Very best regards to all, Anne _______________________________________________ Pianotech list info <a href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives"> https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</a> </blockquote></body> </html>