<HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1252"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1106" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; BORDER-TOP-STYLE: none; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; BORDER-RIGHT-STYLE: none; BORDER-LEFT-STYLE: none; BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff; BORDER-BOTTOM-STYLE: none"> <P>Blow distance is the first thing to do on an upright. If the rest rail felt is shot or deeply grooved by the shanks, replace it. It's a cheap and easy repair.</P> <P>Set blow and go through the steps from there.</P> <P>If the distance is not right, nothing else will work well. </P> <P>If you don't have a spec for this, set it at 1 3/4" then -- always -- fully regulate a handful of keys in octave 4 and a few in the bass and treble when you have those working. If you can't set a dip of around 3/8 inch that works well and feels good or if the key height is really funky, you can revisit blow. Some uprights need a little more, try 1 7/8". Regulate your test keys.</P> <P>When all is well, put the rest of the piano together.</P> <P>Someone (I think Randy Potter) said: "Incorrect blow distance is the beginning of all regulation problems" or words to that effect. </P> <P>Alan Barnard<BR>Salem, MO<BR>Joshua 24:15<BR><BR><BR><BR></P> <DIV style="PADDING-RIGHT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-BOTTOM: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 3px solid; PADDING-TOP: 5px"> <HR> Original message<BR>From: KeyKat88@aol.com<BR>To: pianotech@ptg.org<BR>Received: 01/28/2007 9:34:11 AM<BR>Subject: rookie question; Setting bLow distance<BR><BR> <DIV align=left>Greetings, </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>       Reading Reblitz's book, his step #8 to reguating a vertical states to shim up the hammer rest rail to the correct blow distance. My question is, if this is done then arent you tampering with/advancing the stroke and infringing upon the room/space in which the parts need to cycle? Seems to me, if a piano is an old upright, wouldnt it be wise to first <EM>at leas</EM>t replace the felt front and balance rail punchings, <EM>before</EM> you go ahead and set the stroKe??</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Julia Gottshall</DIV> <DIV>Reading, PA</DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>