<html> <body> I didn't mean to imply there was, in fact, a weight issue.  I just didn't want to focus on that, in case there was.  I suppose one could cordially argue whether one method is easier than the other (recovering requires no extracting, regluing of loose damper blocks, releveling, rebending of wires) but it's hardly worth it, unless everything else is right with the world.  As for gluing fingers together, I presumed that's one of the reasons to have the band saw handy. David Skolnik Hastings on Hudson, NY At 12:18 PM 9/12/2012, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">What weight issue is there?Ā  Missed that but canā€™t imagine any issues of weight really.Ā  In my experience (having done it both ways) you get a more consistent tension in the leather with new, itā€™s neater, faster (not slower anyway), easier, similar cost and, as I mentioned, if you install a new Renner tray at some point you avoid problems with the backchecks hitting the sostenuto rod.Ā  Plus, you donā€™t have to worry about gluing your fingers together.   David Love <a href="http://www.davidlovepianos.com/" eudora="autourl"> www.davidlovepianos.com</a>   From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [<a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org" eudora="autourl"> mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a>] On Behalf Of David Skolnik Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2012 7:54 AM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] Steinway back checks   David L - Apart from any purported issue about weight,  why do you think the result is better with new ones?  Just wondering. David Skolnik Hastings on Hudson, NY At 10:31 AM 9/12/2012, you wrote: Install new and smaller ones.Ć‚  ItĆ¢€™s faster, r, easier, better result, not that much more money (good leather is expensive) and if you ever put in a new Renner underlever tray youĆ¢€™ll be glad you did.Ć‚  p;   David Love <a href="http://www.davidlovepianos.com/">www.davidlovepianos.com</a>  </blockquote></body> </html>