<html> <body> I prefer to use microfine powdered teflon.  Graphite seems to attract moisture in humid climates and gum up.  Maybe there are other chemical things coming from the wood, but it just doesn't seem to work well long-term. Andrew Anderson At 04:16 PM 6/20/2007, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">But wouldn't it be better to use something besides graphite?? I'm kinda new here, but I've been told (and read it here) not to use graphite, period. (or as the say across the pond, full stop.)  Or are there circumstances where it's acceptable?? Paul Bruesch Stillwater, MN On 6/20/07, <a href="mailto:stuka@mindspring.com">stuka@mindspring.com</a> <<a href="mailto:stuka@mindspring.com"> stuka@mindspring.com</a>> wrote: <dl> <dd>Reblitz, 2. ed., page 177: <dd>"If the repetition lever springs ride in slots in the levers, clean the slots. Neglecting this will make it impossible to adjust the repetition spring tension correctly later in the reulating procedure. To clean the slots, number and remove the wippens from the action frame. Release the springs from the slots, and clean each slot by rubbing the wood with a hammer shank sharpened in a pencil sharpener. Apply a little graphite-alcohol mixture to the slots with another pointed hammer shank. This is especially important if the slots have any residue of gummy old graphite grease or any other sticky substance. Clean the rubbing end of each spring with silver polish on a rag, carefully reposition the springs in their slots, and reattach the wippens to the action. " <dd>A photo of the procedure is attached to this message. <dd>Also, later in the section on regulating the repetition spring tension, Reblitz points back to this procedure with a stern warning: <dd>"If you didn't clean gummy repetition spring slots before regulating the action... you won't be able to complete step 17 because the hammers will never do the same thing twice in a row.  If you didn't clean the slots because it looked like too much work, and you muddled through steps 11 through 16 wondering why it was so hard to adjust things right, the result of your hurrying will be painfully obvious right now. You will need to go back to the beginning of the grand action regulating section, clean the slots, and start over." <dd>Cheers, <dd>Matt <dl> <dd>-----Original Message----- <dd>From: Danilo Perusina <dd>Sent: Jun 20, 2007 11:48 AM <dd>To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a> <dd>Subject: RE: Keep on filing... <dd>Please advise me how to clean it! Will a cotton stick do? You know, the ones you clean ears with.. <dd>I currently have at my disposal "Piano- och flygelreparasjon" (repair) "Piano- och flygelmekanikkjustering" (actionregulation) by norwegian Carl-Johan Forss; "Steinway service manual" by Max Matthias; "Das regulieren von Flügeln bei Steinway" by Franz Rudolf Dietz; "Das Regulieren..etc" by Lutz Reibeholz. I've heard about the Reblitz, and now I know how to get hold of it, so thanks! <dl> <dd>From:  <a href="mailto:stuka@mindspring.com">stuka@mindspring.com </a> <dd>Reply-To:  <a href="mailto:stuka@mindspring.com">stuka@mindspring.com</a>, Pianotech List <<a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org"> pianotech@ptg.org</a>> <dd>To:  Pianotech List <<a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a>> <dd>Subject:  RE: Keep on filing... <dd>Date:  Wed, 20 Jun 2007 09:26:16 -0600 (GMT-06:00) <dd>Hi, Danilo, <dd>Have you cleaned the slots in the underside of the repetition lever, that the repetition lever springs ride in?  Missing that can throw everything else out. <dd>Also, you might want to buy this book if you don't have it already (Buy It Now price is $19.13, quite a bargain): <dd> <a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/BOOK-NEW-Piano-Servicing-Tuning-and-Rebuilding-Reblitz_W0QQitemZ250133390200QQihZ015QQcategoryZ378QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"> http://cgi.ebay.com/BOOK-NEW-Piano-Servicing-Tuning-and-Rebuilding-Reblitz_W0QQitemZ250133390200QQihZ015QQcategoryZ378QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem</a> <dd>Matt <dl> <dd>-----Original Message----- </dl> <dd>From: Danilo Perusina <dd>Sent: Jun 19, 2007 5:53 PM <dd>To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a> <dd>Subject: RE: Keep on filing... <dd>Hi! Dean, Tony and David, thanks for your input! I thought the very same, that since these parts need to be replaced, I can use whats left of them to educate myself further. The aim, of course, is to make them perform better. Born out of necessity, actually, a recording session in the middle of the night, not the best time to call a technician! But that was two years ago, and a lot of "seeing and feeling" since then, as well as self-studying and asking technicians that I've met. <dd>Parts that need replacement will not respond ideally to being regulated, I guess. This is where the spring tension comes in. I did actually start working on them, and it was then that this problem arose. They are quite tense now, and it indeed causes some hammers to double-blow on the strings. And when I ease them up so that the hammer rises gently when released from check, the jack starts to not wanting to return under the knuckle properly. I was convinced it was due to the reduced weight of the hammers, but you've made me not so sure of that anymore. Knuckles need lubrication? (and replacement?) Spring needs to be cleaned perhaps? By the way, how would you diagnose that a spring needs to be replaced (unless broken of course)? <dd>Yes, a mentor would be very welcome, and excuse any language errors, english is not my native tongue. Very glad to hear about your background, Tony! <dd>Regards, Danilo <hr> <dd>Smaka pÃ¥ vÃ¥rens godbitar! <a href="http://g.msn.com/8HMASVSE/2746??PS=47575">FrÃ¤scha middagstips pÃ¥ MSN </a> </dl> <hr> <dd>Är du spelberoende? <a href="http://g.msn.com/8HMBSVSE/2737??PS=47575">Testa här</a> </dl> </dl></blockquote></body> </html>