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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hi all,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks for the advice. The =
consensus was to
squeeze the tips, so I did that before trying anything else. It =
worked
like a charm, with the exception of one note that has a "slow" =
damp. (I'll
just have to play with that one 'til it works right. It's going to =
be
fussy. I think probably I have to do some minor wire bending to =
get a good
seat.) All of the wedges insert just fine between the strings
now.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>My tool of choice was actually an old =
pair of
lineman's pliers -- the kind with the broad, flat nose. It took =
several
squeezes along the length but worked just fine. If I were going to =
do
dozens or more pianos, then yes, I'd get the special tool!
;-)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I don't say it often enough: =
Thanks for
helping me with my piano. I'm really enjoying this entire learning =
experience and am delighted with how my piano is coming along. =
Only
yesterday, when doing some work on the action, I used two of the "not in =
the
book" things I learned on this list. First was Thump's no-mess way =
to
apply teflon to knuckles by making a thin slurry of the stuff in naptha =
and
brushing it on. Works GREAT! Then I used Andre's guidance =
with
regard to spacing of backchecks from tails. It made a relatively =
quick job
out of what might have taken a very long time.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I'm occasionally asked for progress =
reports on my
grand project. So far, I've replaced the hammers and =
shanks to great
effect, and Terry has done a great job refurbishing my key frame (in =
exchange
for my web authoring work). I've installed a DC-ish system of my =
own
design and have achieved quite a lot of stability. I've obviously =
replaced
the dampers and other moth-eaten felt. I've knocked out all the =
leading in
the keys and will be constructing an assist spring rail, in my ongoing =
quest to
nix key inertia. I'm in the process of regulating but won't do a
full-blown job until I've constructed a new letoff button rail (the old =
one
being a monkey-rigged, retrofitted POM -- piece of manure).
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Without the spring assist in place, the =
action is
of course heavy (Stanwood 8/9 hammers). However it feels very =
nimble to
me, and that gives it a certain "lightness." I find I have a great =
deal of
dynamic control. All things considered, I feel I'm on the right =
track with
all that I'm doing.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>After I'm finished with the action =
stack, I'll be
working on the Ivories (Joe!), and then that chapter (the action) =
will be
closed. Next will be restringing/rescaling. Then refinishing =
-- with
a couple of case enhancements like a slip-out fallboard =
<grin>. Lots
of big and medium projects to do. I've gotten off list =
guidance on
all of it and would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for =
taking me
(and my piano) under your wing. Even at this stage of work, =
it's one
hummin' (not so) little piano, and it's getting better every
day. None of this would be possible without your help,
everyone!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Peace,</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Sarah</FONT></DIV>
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