<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:x="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:excel" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"><style></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1>I use the number in combination with other formulas to determine an actual strike weight curve target, what balance weight that will yield with what front weight.   You can also use the number to determine how the action will regulate, with what combination of dip and blow given standard let-off and aftertouch.  You can also use the number to determine the strikeweight in order to target the general level of inertia in the entire system (this is what Darrell Fandrich and John Rhodes are presenting).   You also need the number to determine what and how much to change in order to achieve the action ratio you want if it’s not right.  It’s essential for accurately diagnosing problem actions and how to fix them or modifying older actions (if you decide to do that).  <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>In a nutshell:<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>Lower ratios will accommodate heavier strikeweights but will regulate with longer dip and blow (or both).<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>Higher ratios will require lower strikeweights and will regulate with shorter dip and blow (or both).  <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>Without knowing the action ratio you are really forced to do things either by experimenting or simply based on past experience.  I find it an essential number to have.  <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>David Love<o:p></o:p>www.davidlovepianos.com<o:p></o:p><div><div><div><o:p> </o:p><div>-----Original Message----- From: Joseph Garrett <<a href="mailto:joegarrett@earthlink.net">joegarrett@earthlink.net</a>> To: pianotech <<a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a>> Sent: Wed, Jan 16, 2013 3:37 pm Subject: Re: [pianotech] measuring action ratios<o:p></o:p><div id="AOLMsgPart_0_cfdc4635-d77a-4b6d-9e42-7961cbe4616a"><pre style='background:white'><tt>Thanks to all with the pics of gauges, etc. Now, to my main question: Once<o:p></o:p></tt></pre><pre style='background:white'><tt>you have done this bit with the gauge and the math, and you have this ratio<o:p></o:p></tt></pre><pre style='background:white'><tt>number, .... what do you do with it? Or, to put it another way: what does<o:p></o:p></tt></pre><pre style='background:white'><tt>the number tell you? Or: Of what worth is this number? Or: what does it all<o:p></o:p></tt></pre><pre style='background:white'><tt>relate to? Anyone care to give "us" the straight poop?<G><o:p></o:p></tt></pre><pre style='background:white'><tt>Regards,<o:p></o:p></tt></pre><pre style='background:white'><tt>Joe<o:p></o:p></tt></pre><pre style='background:white'><tt><o:p> </o:p></tt></pre><pre style='background:white'><tt><o:p> </o:p></tt></pre><pre style='background:white'><tt>Joe Garrett, R.P.T.<o:p></o:p></tt></pre><pre style='background:white'><tt>Captain of the Tool Police<o:p></o:p></tt></pre><pre style='background:white'><tt>Squares R I<o:p></o:p></tt></pre><pre style='background:white'><tt><o:p> </o:p></tt></pre></div></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>