Hey Avery. I guess it depends on how tight everything is. I think I'd be _careful_ since the system is newly back on again. I use alcohol/water often, sometimes adding a dryer if needed. You could use pure alcohol first with no water or heat, I don't think that would overdo anything. I usually size new Renner parts with pure alcohol. Then step up to a low % of water with low heat. I always used Methanol, but now since it's so toxic and hard to find, I use Everclear (grain alcohol for getting drunk). Everclear is a brand name, it also comes in other names like "Diesel". If it doesn't work you can drink it. :) I would also leave a hygrometer in the hall overnight (on the plate) that holds memory to see what's going on in there. I carry the one from Dampp-Chaser (Radio Shack has them, too, with Memory). There are articles in the Journal if you have the CD Rom, etc., too. In this climate that you and I share, I think alcohol is a MUST. Good luck with it. P.S. The Protek helps, too, I agree. I would also remove the keys, polish and lube them (McLube 444), lube the whippen tops, teflon powder the knuckles and get the bushings on the keys sized with a key bushing iron to get everything back to where it should be. The high humidity has changed everything, I'm sure. That alone will make it play better and won't take long. Lance Lafargue, RPT Mandeville, LA New Orleans Chapter, PTG lancelafargue@bellsouth.net -----Original Message----- From: owner-caut@ptg.org [mailto:owner-caut@ptg.org]On Behalf Of Avery Todd Sent: Friday, September 07, 2001 10:37 AM To: caut@ptg.org Subject: Sizing 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.) Since I really hate to go in and do a bunch of repinning because of what might be changing anyway in the near future, would: 1. Sizing with alcohol/water be a viable option? If so, what proportions? Is this probably my best long-term solution? 2. Should I try to wait a while longer and see if it will ease up any since our humidity control system is back working again (for app. 2-3 weeks now). 3. Or should I just go ahead and do the repinning and get it over with? I've never done much sizing of flange bushings, so I'd appreciate some advice and/or other solutions. Our first concert of the season is tonight and the primary pianist has decided to use the rebuilt 'D' instead of the one he normally uses. Interestingly, the rebuilt one, which has all German Renner parts, has had none of this kind of problem. Even back before they got our humidity control system going again. Thanks for any help/advice you can give me. Avery
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