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<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>I'm coming in late on this =
discussion, so maybe
someone has already provided this information which i</FONT><FONT =
size=2>s taken
from a Renner brochure included with my latest order of action
parts:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2>BEGIN QUOTE</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>"Renner has found Hornbeam to have significant =
advantages
because it is more dense in structure, and scores measurably higher in =
bending
strength and hardness tests over Maple. <STRONG>While we will =
manufacture
to each customer's own specifications</STRONG>, we recommend Hornbeam, =
and
Renner USA uses Hornbeam exclusively for the following =
reasons:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>The enormous bending strength of Hornbeam -- =
<STRONG>about 32%
higher than Maple </STRONG>-- has a particular advantage for
hammershanks. There is less warping or back springing when the =
hammer
attacks. This means a better energy transmission of the hammerhead =
when
attacking the string. The greater bending strength of Hornbeam =
also
reduces the sliding and rubbing movement of the hammerhead against the =
strings
when the shank is under tremendous torque during the attack - the =
benefit of
which is a decreased wear and tear of the hammerhead felt. Another =
important benefit of the increased bending strength is less re-traveling =
of the
hammers.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>The use of Hornbeam, with our special bushing felt, =
are
important factors in producing the superior bushing centers in Renner =
action
parts. The grain direction of the much denser Hornbeam is chosen =
is such a
way that the flange bushing centers have an optimum position towards =
this
direction. this guarantees an enormous strength in the section of =
the two
bearings within the flange, as the center will have a better fit when it =
is
pressed directly into the wood in this direction (e. g. for whippens,
underlevers, etc..). Also, the pressure put on the center can be =
increased
by 23% when using Hornbeam, instead of Maple before it will remove =
within the
wooden part."</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>END OF QUOTE</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Although a lot of the terminology is incorrect in =
the
strictest sense, and the translation from German is confusing, a few =
points come
through clearly:</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>1. Renner claims to use Hornbeam because it is =
a
structurally superior wood to Maple, according to them 33% greater =
tensile
strength, 3.5% greater Brinell hardness, and 32% greater bending
strength.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>2. Renner implies they will manufacture using =
what ever
wood a customer requests. They don't say how small an order they =
will take
or how long the delay.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2>Frank Weston </FONT></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: #000000 solid 2px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; PADDING-LEFT: =
5px">
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><B>-----Original =
Message-----</B><BR><B>From:
</B>Delwin D Fandrich <<A
=
href="mailto:pianobuilders@olynet.com">pianobuilders@olynet.com</A>>=
<BR><B>To:
</B><A href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A> =
<<A
=
href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A>><BR><B>Date:
</B>Sunday, June 06, 1999 2:13 PM<BR><B>Subject: </B>Re:
Hornbeam<BR><BR></DIV></FONT>
<P>dporritt wrote:
<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE = CITE> <SPAN =
class=810422816-06061999><FONT
face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=-1>Del Fandrich
writes:</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN><SPAN
class=810422816-06061999></SPAN><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT =
size=-1>And
who -- besides Renner, that is -- really believes that hornbeam =
shanks
are<SPAN class=810422816-06061999><FONT
face=Arial> </SPAN></FONT>superior to even relatively =
decent maple
shanks?</FONT></FONT>
<P><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=-1>Regards,</FONT></FONT>
<P><FONT color=#0000ff><FONT size=-1>Del</FONT></FONT><SPAN
class=810422816-06061999><FONT face=Arial><FONT =
color=#000000><FONT
size=-1>I don't know as much as I'd like to about the relative =
strengths
and weakness of Hornbeam and Maple. However, I really like =
the
Renner shanks, bushings, center pin accuracy, friction =
consistency,
shank shape, treble tapering, phone curtesy, order turn-around =
time,
pleasant dealings....... that I get from Renner. I suppose =
they
could make good Maple ones too.</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN><SPAN =
class=810422816-06061999></SPAN><SPAN =
class=810422816-06061999><FONT
face=Arial><FONT color=#000000><FONT
size=-1>dave</FONT></FONT></FONT></SPAN><FONT
=
size=-1>_______________________________________________</FONT></P></BLO=
CKQUOTE>
<P>Dave,
<P>Sorry. I think you misunderstood. I was referring =
only to the
actual material used, i.e., hornbeam as opposed to maple. As =
for the
rest, I'll agree with everything you've said except perhaps for the =
friction
consistency.
<P>And I do wish they made maple shanks. Perhaps even offering =
us a
choice between the two.
<P>Regards,
<P>Del </P></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>