<html> <head> <META HTTP-EQUIV="Content-Type" CONTENT="text/html; = charset=US-ASCII"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 10 (filtered)"> <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1>  </fo= nt>Don and = Bob:       =       Thanks for the feedback.   I agree fully that replacement of the = parts is the best course.  In this circumstance, the proper repair in the = time allotted wasn’t possible.  It is a quick fix which I = can’t say I’m proud of, and I may be chasing this thing at a later = date.  I am no piano engineer, and I realize that the design of the hammer butt is = time tested.  No question of redesign by me.  I was only concerned = with somehow getting this piano quieted down.  I’ve done the full = butt replacement route before, and I don’t have a set handy.  Last = time it took many hours getting the old shanks out and regluing them in the = new butts.  I tried replacing the buckskin on a few, and it would have = taken much longer than full replacement.  I have never done this buckskin = repair before.  I’ll be tuning the piano in the home in a few = months, and I’ll see how it fares.       =       Paul McCloud       =       San Diego     -----Original = Message----- From: = pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of BobDavis88@aol.com Sent: Thursday, May 22, = 2003 9:07 AM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Re: Bedevilled = by a Baldwin yet again   Paul McCloud writes: What I did was to place a self adhesive felt dot (the = kind you put under objects you don’t want to scratch the surface they = sit on) about 3/8” diameter on the back edge of the jack tip, with the = felt just peeking over the tip edge Hi Paul, While I applaud your creativity, often a design has been worked out over = many iterations, and small changes might have effects which we don't foresee. Baldwin used an unproven material which failed later. However, they = still did not change the original design, which was to use the friction and = durability of the butt skin on the keystroke, and its silencing capabilities on the = return; and to use the angle of the jack/butt engagement for a positive energy = transfer while allowing the (smooth, lubricated) jack tip to slip easily while = not under pressure (upon return). In addition to the lack of durability of the stick-ons, it could be said = that your method makes other design changes, such as a difference in the = depth of engagement of the jack, as well as a significant difference in the = friction upon its return. I would guess that the repair time didn't differ = significantly from a return to the time-tested configuration. Shortcuts which might compromise the function are almost never = cost-effective (or reputation-enhancing) in the long run, which is what we have the = pleasure to deal with. There are things in piano design that can be improved, but = I want to make sure I have considered all the ramifications before I make a = change - not because of respect for the original designer, but because there = might indeed be a good reason that I just don't see. I have made a few = thoughtless "improvements" which have come back to bite me in the    . Best wishes for a durable repair, Bob Davis </div> </body> </html>