I had to do this a couple times.  Both were existing customers of mine who purchased new from the dealer, and all "new piano" stuffs had been done. It will take a bit of time.  I would plan on a short afternoon, or morning.  Once the brackets are in, you'll have to realign the jack to knuckles, set a new blow distance, backchecking let off drop, etc.  Basically start from scratch on the stack.  If you've done this before, which I'm sure you have, being the keybedding is all good....key height, dip, etc. You'll  be fine in 3-4 hours or so.  Of course, when I did this, I would throw in a "touch up" tuning so it all sounds nice and also playable when you leave.  You might sell them on a complete cleaning too if you have the time...a way to pick up a few extra bucks while you're there. Good to do while everything is torn apart. Best of luck Paul <table width=100%> <tr valign=top> <td>From: <td>tnrwim@aol.com <tr valign=top> <td>To: <td>pianotech@ptg.org <tr valign=top> <td>Date: <td>09/29/2011 01:21 PM <tr valign=top> <td>Subject: <td>Re: [pianotech] action brackets</table> <hr noshade> Tom   It depends on how much "damage" was done by the previous tech. If the action has never been altered, like the technician raising the capstans, or lowering the drop screws and let off buttons, then it will only take you an hour or so to install the new brackets, and make some minor adjustments. The man problem is with the middle two brackets. The holes for the new ones are not in the same place as the old one. So you'll have to drill new holes, at an angle, to fit the holes in the bracket. The problem with that, I've found, is that the screws that hold the wood braces for the action brackets, will be in the way, so you'll have to move them first. I sounds more complicated than it really is.   While you've got the action on the bench, it's a good time to remove the keys and clean under them. You can also shape the hammers and tighten the screws. But other than than the job of replacing the brackets is pretty straight forward.   What you want to watch for is the position of the jack under the knuckle. You're told, and others will tell you, that you have to have the exact action spread. But I've found that lining up the jacks under the knuckle core will get the job done, too. Do the end ones first, and the replace the middle brackets.   Wim Bees, RPT Hawaii -----Original Message----- From: Tom Gorley <tomgorley88@sonic.net> To: pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Thu, Sep 29, 2011 6:27 am Subject: [pianotech] action brackets I am about to get a job replacing Young Chang grand action brackets.  How many hours can I expect this gig to take?  I did a few Marshall and Wendells many years ago, and they took a ton of regulating.    Tom Gorley Registered Piano Technician