The Central Illinois Piano Test Kitchen just installed a TouchRail for a review in the Piano Technicians Journal. I'm just finishing the article--I'm not sure in which issue it will be included. Barbara Richmond, RPT near Peoria, Illinois ----- Original Message ----- From: "G Cousins" <cousins_gerry at msn.com> To: "CAUT" <caut at ptg.org> Sent: Saturday, October 3, 2009 8:26:15 PM GMT -06:00 US/Canada Central Subject: Re: [CAUT] cutting Chris, Have you heard of TouchRail system? I just installed on on an older D and am very impressed with the results. The action was a mis mosh of Renner, Tokaiwa and SS parts on a typically heavy leaded keyboard with long back checks. I believe we all have some of these "beasts" in our inventories. I was able to even out the touch weight throughout the entire keyboard. Weighing is now evened at 51 grams. Quite remarkable. Scott Jones of Pitch lock fame is the developer. http://www.pitchlock.com/pages/primary_pages/touchrail.html I am continuing my data on this new product but initially a VERY pleased with the results. I eventually plan on a write up of my findings. Gerry Cousins West Chester University of PA From: csolliday at rcn.com To: caut at ptg.org Date: Sat, 3 Oct 2009 08:17:35 -0400 Subject: [CAUT] cutting Just a couple of thoughts on cutting the punchings at the balance rail. We can cut the punching to raise or lower the Balance Weight (both down weight and up weight move in the same direction) depending on which side of the center line of the balance pin hole we glue on the punching. There are several gradations available each way depending on just where we choose to cut. The "accelerated action" patent refers to the method of weighing off the keys from the balance point out to the front key end. The half round bearing is a separate patent. While it would be cool if someone actually considered the reduction in "sliding key ratio" I believe the main concern was in reducing friction. This only works until the top of the bearings flatten out and become de facto rails. The two patents have in practice become part of the marketing concept of the "accelerated action." Probably because half round bearing friction or sliding ratio reduction doesn't sound all that sexy. Of course no one weighs off accelerated action style anymore so what is left is the half round, or just a sexy sounding meaningless concept called "accelerated action." Personally, while as a player I might wish for an accelerator for the action from time to time, I think that in general it would be difficult to regulate. Besides there are enough pedals for two feet already. A properly married action ratio and hammer weight, with a well balanced and regulated action, does everything my digits can ask for within the context of the cumulative ear training I have received. Now if I could just blow into the thing... Chris Solliday -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/caut.php/attachments/20091004/eb7d16bd/attachment.htm>
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