On 9/7/01 10:36 AM, "Avery Todd" <atodd@UH.EDU> wrote: > List, > > I'm sure most of you know about the flood and humidity problems > here in Houston. Because of what I assume are humidity related > problems, our newest 'D' (app. 3 yrs. old) is exhibiting some > excess friction in some of the hammer flanges and may also be > in the wippen flanges (I haven't checked that yet.) These types of humidity problems may be exceptional in Houston, but they are routine here in Kansas City. I have the "solution" for you: Protek. This year in KC the weather has not been unusually severe, other than the fact that the humidity has been up for months. The halls are measuring about 78% RH right now. This kind of humidity for months at a time will push some flanges over the line, but I don't believe they are very far over that "line". The suggestion of using a Dampp-Chaser rod is probably good, given that I think these flanges are just barely over the line. Our #1 D had a bound up jack and a bound up underlever top flange two weeks ago just as our Cliburn competition gold medalist was making his triumphant return and giving his celebratory concerts. I hit the offending flanges with Protek, worked the flanges a bit, and then they were fine. I have never had a failure in years of doing this. I would recommend against alcohol/water because of the possibility of overdoing it and the fact that that takes some time to work. In my experience Protek in a tight flange is not going to do any harm once the humidity goes down; you will still have a very nice firm flange. Kent Swafford
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