High(!) touchweight

[Delwin D Fandrich]

This device was not intended to set static key weight.  It was intended only to
help establish the correct position of the capstan by optimising the
key-to-hammer-lever ratio.

-- ddf

---------------------------

Ron Torrella wrote:

> I've done a little bit of experimenting with capstan location using a gig
> similar to the one Del described. (See below for a description.) The
> results are interesting.
>
> NOTE: This is another B [#352489] that has the same leverage problem.
> Renner wips and shanks, NY hammers, Pratt-Read keyboard, "accelerated
> action" (read "lotsa lead!"). Essentially, the same keyboard as the one I
> mentioned before, only this one has Renner parts. The key bushing are new
> and eased correctly.  The centers on the shanks and wips are loose --
> probably will be re-pinned because they're outside of "shop tolerance."
> The piano was restrung this summer, oversized pins, original pinblock.
> Given that small amount of background....
>
> I removed capstans at No.s 1, 20, 21, 37, 51, 68 & 88, but because I had a
> short amount of time to work with, I only managed to get through the first
> five. On #1, the original capstan location downweight was 64, up was 36. I
> moved the capstan location 1/8" toward the balance rail and got 60 down,
> 34 up.  Not bad, but not close enough to ideal for me. Note #20, moved
> 1/8" only got me to 59 and 31. Note #21 was a distaster.  Had to move the
> capstan 1/4" and that *only* got me down to 59 and 30.  Note #37 went down
> to 60 and 38 with 1/8" movement.  And note #51 only got to 53 and 28 at
> 1/8".
>
> Can't move capstans any more than 3/16" without the capstan contacting
> wood. 1/8" would be fine, except it means drilling out the capstan holes
> *oversized*, plugging and redrilling.  If I didn't oversize the old holes,
> drilling new ones would be straddling old and new wood.  If I used pine
> plugs (not dowels....plugs cut from scrapped keyboards), I *may* be able
> to get away with "normal"  sized plugs, but there's still a glue joint to
> deal with. (Have I started splitting hairs yet?)
>
> I'm contemplating the option of a combination of things; move the capstans
> no more than 3/16" *and* swap small keyleads for medium or large ones. The
> net result would be a lighter touch (improved leverage), but a slightly
> heavier keyboard (on the order of 150-200grams or 5-7 lbs, overall, is a
> guess).
>
> The other option is to install those "turbo" wippens from Renner.  I tried
> a few of those and they're pretty slick.  The manhours involved with
> re-pinning and regulating those wippens would be about the same as the
> current wippens (I don't think that stuff has been done yet).
>
> Anyone wanna hazard a guess at which route will take longer?
>
> Ron Torrella, RPT
> Piano Technician
> University of Michigan
> School of Music