[CAUT] Installing New Let-Off Buttons

[Paul Milesi, RPT]

Many thanks to all who have replied thus far, and for the great ideas.  It's
good to know I'm not the only one challenged by a seemingly simple task.
When you're working by yourself, even with good training and some excellent
local tech friends and mentors as resources, you at times have to wonder if
you're missing something.  :)  Again, isn't that the beauty of this type of
list?  One can easily gather and learn from the cumulative and generational
experience of some of the world's best technicians.  Priceless!

By the way, Shawn, if you're wondering, I had to change to the shorter
buttons in order to get let-off up where it should be without backing the
buttons all the way up and through the rail.  The result of mixed-period
parts, of course.  Believe me, I wouldn't have messed with them right now if
I didn't have to!
-- 
Paul Milesi, RPT
Staff Piano Technician
Howard University Department of Music
Washington, DC


> From: Fred Sturm <fssturm at unm.edu>
> Reply-To: <caut at ptg.org>
> Date: Mon, 23 Aug 2010 18:05:02 -0600
> To: <caut at ptg.org>
> Subject: Re: [CAUT] Installing New Let-Off Buttons
> 
> On Aug 23, 2010, at 2:21 PM, Paul Milesi, RPT wrote:
> 
>> Unhappy with my own work on this one.  How can I do better next time?
> 
> 
> With respect to the existing piano, and the unsatisfactory results,
> fix them by bending the threaded wires. The bend should be as close as
> possible right where it leaves the button, and this can be done fairly
> quickly and easily with the dowel capstan pliers. And, yes, just go
> ahead and bend those wires. Far better that let off can be fine
> adjusted for the next 5 to 30 to 60 years until a new set of buttons
> is installed. At worst, the next person has to replace the threaded
> wires - far less a big deal than cursing at how impossible it is to
> fine regulate let off for all those years. Just my opinion <G>.
> Procedure is to figure out how the button is canted, and line up the
> button so the bend you want to make is in line with the rail.  Then
> grip firmly with the pliers and twist. It's nice if the button is
> close to the rail, but not necessary.
> Regards,
> Fred Sturm
> fssturm at unm.edu
> ³Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to
> shape it.² Brecht
> 
>