<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Re: lighter touch</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY> Francis, On uprights with excessive down weight, I try and figure out why it is heav= ier than desirable. If it is poor geometry (key ratio for example) it is an uphill fight. Weake= ning the damper springs works well if the manufacture did not adjust them wh= en it was built, and the spring strength is excessive.  On a fine instr= ument, I hesitate...and try and figure out why why why. Practial ways... 1- Reduce the blow distance 2- Set let-off close, so as to squeeze as much efficency out of the key str= oke as possible 3- Reduce friction (clean or polish)  the keypins, teflon powder the b= alance rail and front rail bushings 4- Clean or polish the capstan and teflon the contact felt 5- Check the fit of the balance rail hole 6- Check the damper timing...if it is early, thats not good 7- A little touch-weight reduction could be acheived by reducing the fricti= on at the hammershank flanges 8- Some uprights allow the capstan to be bent toward the balance rail, thus= improving the leverage of the key, and the whippen...a two-fer! I am sure there's lot's more on 9/9/01 9:02 PM, Francis Dubé at fdube@vianet.on.ca wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE>By now I should know how to m= ake the touch  of an upright lighter (having worked pianas, longer than= 10 yrs!) the only way I've lightened the touch was to weaken the damper springs. Can anyone give me practical suggestions?= </BLOCKQUOTE> </BODY> </HTML>