<!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 6.00.2900.2668" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE>@font-face { font-family: Tahoma; } @page Section1 {size: 8.5in 11.0in; margin: 1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; } P.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman" } LI.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman" } DIV.MsoNormal { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Times New Roman" } A:link { COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } SPAN.MsoHyperlink { COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } A:visited { COLOR: purple; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } SPAN.MsoHyperlinkFollowed { COLOR: purple; TEXT-DECORATION: underline } P { FONT-SIZE: 12pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 0in; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0in; FONT-FAMILY: = "Times New Roman" } SPAN.EmailStyle17 { COLOR: navy; FONT-FAMILY: Arial } DIV.Section1 { page: Section1 } OL { MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in } UL { MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0in } </STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY lang=EN-US vLink=purple link=blue bgColor=white> Thanks for = the input David. Comments interspersed:   With a = .55 key ratio you definitely need a 17 mm knuckle, probably an 18 mm but they = don’t make them.  Ideal  situation would be if the action would = accommodate a capstan move to .52  with a knuckle at 17 mm.  Variations in = the leading and balance weight with a non conforming SW curve accounts for = the range of BWs through the action.  Friction range is too great.  = Check the key easing on the high ones and remeasure balance weights to see if = that’s the problem.  Remeasure the bore distance (string height to flange = center) and see if the hammers are bored correctly.  Improper checking might be = due to improper tailing or incorrect backcheck = angle.    Haven't = checked where all the friction is coming from - but sure, we need to do that. And = that's what I was getting at when I stated crappy hammers. Hammers (they are = new) overstrike, and are bored at an angle so that the nearly squared-off = tails stick outward to the rear - these things will never check as is unless maybe = you put some bubble gum on each backcheck. The action needs new hammers, = bored properly with tails arced properly.    Best = fix:    <OL type=1> <LI class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy">Remeasure = hammer bore dimension and either replace the hammers or, after removing from = original shanks,  plug and redrill if they are wrong (a little tricky when = they are already tailed, but can be done. (4 hours) <LI class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy"></LI></OL> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy">Yup. Would like to just replace.</DIV> <OL type=1> <LI class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy">Dry fit = onto new 17 mm shanks and smooth strike weights using a table saw for clean tapering.  Retail to correct radius.  With .55 key ratio you = will need SWs on the lighter side.  Do some samples and determine if = your curve will allow you to move the FWs back down below maximums.  = If you are unable to get the hammers light enough to bring the BWs down with reasonable FWs, experiment with a capstan move to .52 or as far as you = can without going off the cushion.  Double check your new BW/FW = relationship with some samples. (4-8 hours) </LI></OL> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy"> </DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy">Sounds good! </DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy"> </DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy">So you would recommend consistent BWs across the keyboard over smooth FWs (if I am = reading you correctly), i.e. sacrifice perfectly smooth FWs to achieve = consistent BWs?</DIV> <OL type=1> <LI class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy">Install = new hammers. (3 hours) </LI></OL> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy"> </DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy">Would love to.</DIV> <OL type=1> <LI class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy">Bench = regulate and address friction areas checking keys and pinning.  Include check = of backcheck angle and/or new leather. (4-6 hours). <LI class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy">Reweigh = action by charting BW for each note and then remove lead at 1:1 ratio (1 gram = off FW reduces BW by 1 gram) to achieve desired BW.  (4 = hours) <LI class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy">Take to = customer and do final reglation, tuning and voicing in piano. (4 = hours) <LI class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy">Give bill = (estimate 22 – 28 hours plus pick up and delivery, plus shanks, plus new = capstans if needed—add 3 hours and a new set of hammers if new hammers are in = order) collect money go home and drink beer.  Your mileage may vary. </LI></OL> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy"> </DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy">David = Love davidlovepianos@comcast.net </DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy"> </DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy">Thanks for your input. Phil? - time to put your salesman's hat on!</DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy"> </DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="COLOR: navy">Terry Farrell</DIV></BODY></HTML>