<html><div style='background-color:'><DIV> <P>Hello Ed,</P> <P>You've been getting excellent suggestions.   Where I live (on the coast in N.Calif.) the biggest problem in heavy touch is dampness.  That means that the key bushings are tight and the balance rail hole is too tight, these are number # 1 problems here, followed by all the action centers and then, of course the regulation.</P> <P>I have no idea where John Day, OR is, but if you are near the coast or the Columbia river (a piece of heaven on earth!), look for swollen parts from dampness.</P> <P>Good luck!</P> <P>Diane</P> <P><BR><BR> </P><BR><BR><BR>Diane Hofstetter </DIV>245-M Mount Hermon Rd.#343 <DIV></DIV>Scotts Valley, CA 95066 <DIV></DIV>ph 831-438-6222 <DIV></DIV>fax 831-430-9741 <DIV></DIV>dianepianotuner@hotmail.com <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV></DIV>>From: thepianoarts <THEPIANOARTS@HOME.COM> <DIV></DIV>>Reply-To: pianotech@ptg.org <DIV></DIV>>To: <PIANOTECH@PTG.ORG> <DIV></DIV>>Subject: Re: Lighten Touch <DIV></DIV>>Date: Wed, 15 Aug 2001 21:52:35 -0500 <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>Hi Ed, <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>To add to what has been suggested... <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>What is the blow distance? If it is more than 1 3/4", an improvment in <DIV></DIV>>perceived touch-weight can be effected by getting the blow down to about 1 <DIV></DIV>>3/4'. <DIV></DIV>> Where is the jack sitting in relation to the knuckle core? If it is too <DIV></DIV>>far back, this will add extra friction during let-off. Teflon the knuckles <DIV></DIV>>specificly where the jack scrapes through during let-off. Rob it on with a <DIV></DIV>>peice of leather of felt. About a one minute job. <DIV></DIV>> How is the rep spring tension? Too low, and its job of pushing the key <DIV></DIV>>back up will be lessened. Low tension of the rep lever gives the impression <DIV></DIV>>that the action is sluggish, because the key comes up more slowly. <DIV></DIV>> Suggestions about testing friction at the hammer shank and whippen <DIV></DIV>>flange, front and balance rail are important. Are you set with your friction <DIV></DIV>>reducing options for these flanges? <DIV></DIV>> Lightening the hammers is another step up the ladder, especially if these <DIV></DIV>>are replacment hammers. A bit more time consuming though. Good luck finding <DIV></DIV>>the problem and solution. <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>Dan <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>on 8/15/01 6:01 PM, Ed Carwithen at edwithen@oregontrail.net wrote: <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>Dear Friends: <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>> I am to work on a Kurtzman Grand Friday. Clean, regulate, repair lyre <DIV></DIV>>braces. Owner asked if I could make the touch any lighter. I said <DIV></DIV>>"Sure, No Problem!!!!" <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>Ok, now how do I do that? The dampers are already lifting at about <DIV></DIV>>half blow. It does seem somewhat sluggish. Please give me your best <DIV></DIV>>advice... <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>>Ed Carwithen <DIV></DIV>>John Day, OR <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV>> <DIV></DIV></div><br clear=all><hr>Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at <a href='http://go.msn.com/bql/hmtag_itl_EN.asp'>http://explorer.msn.com</a><br></html>