<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; =
charset=iso-8859-1">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1458" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I forgot to say that on regular olde =
grand dampers,
I have "system", if you will, that consists of a strip of "masonite" =
w/holes
drilled for the wires. This strip is about 3 1/2" wide and 72" long. On =
either
end of the strip are slots that will accomodate, (freely), 1/4x20 bolts. =
Out of
old piano case parts, (I think they are old cheek blocks. But, don't =
quote me on
that. It's been many years since I built this "thingamajig"!<G>) =
On top of
the "blocks" is another piece of wood, at right angles, that is a few =
inches
beyond the vertical block(s). This horizontal has a carriage bolt =
imbedded in
it, w/the threads protruding upward. The "strip" slot goes over the bolt =
and is
adjustable with wing nuts, to accomodate the varying widths of grands. =
The
"blocks were sawn, so that there is an angle left out and a "ledge" that =
sits on
the rim of the piano. Another, (longer), 1/4x20 bolt w/wing nut is =
anchored in
the outside piece and travels through, (freely), the inner piece, which =
is
hinged with olde piano hinges. This whole thingamajig clamps on to the =
sides of
the piano. This puts the "strip" above the strings, etc. about 6"-8". =
Once in
place, I have a way to keep the heads in order. Once all the dampers =
have be
removed from the piano and placed in the Thingamajig, I remove it from =
the piano
and move it to a work bench. There I have two short 2x4's that I clamp =
to the
Thingamajig, which are then clamped to the work bench top. I bend the =
"strip" in
an upward "crown" to keep the wires off of the bench top.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The first thing I do to these dampers, =
is stamp the
number on the side, of each one, w/machinists number stamps. That =
way, if,
in the frenzy of taking off the felt, sanding, finishing, etc., the =
order is out
of whack, I'm able to put them back in the proper order.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The next thing is removing the felt. I =
have two
water color dual cups that are intended to clip on an artist's pallet =
board.
These will clip onto the 1/4" thin Masonite and can be slid along either =
edge,
as I progress in the soaking off of the felt. I use Wallpaper remover. =
(It works
faster if it is heated.<G>) Two heads at a time will fit nicely =
into the
cups. While each pair is soaking, I attend to other things in the shop. =
About
every 20 minutes, I remove the felt, squeeze the excess Wall Paper =
Remover back
into the cups & use the olde damper felt to "scrub" the heads nice =
and
clean. Then throw away the olde felt and continue on with the system.
Occasionally, some minor scraping will be needed to pry off some really
tenacious glue, but for the most part this is a low effort thing. =
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Once all the felt is removed, I let the =
heads dry
for a day or so. (the wood does get really saturated in this
process)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Oh, one thing that I should stress: =
Take all the
measurements of the original felt; select the appropriate replacement =
felt
making note of any deviations, from the original damper
configuration, you may wish to do. Do this BEFORE you start the =
removal
process! DAMHIK!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Once the dampers are "like new", and =
you've done
all of the other Back Action renovating, the whole Thingamajig is put =
back on
the piano, ready for arduous task of installing/regulating, =
etc.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Because there is quite a bit of time =
between
removing the dampers and putting them back in, I like to "seal" the =
renovated
dampers, on the Thingamajig, with seran wrap/tape. This keeps them =
pristine
until needed.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I hope this will give a few of you some =
ideas in
how to deal with all of those danged dampers!<G></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Best Regards,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Joe Garrett, R.P.T.<BR>Captain, Tool
Police<BR>Squares R I</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>