Damper felt

[Newton Hunt]

If glued up properly, the red felt acts as a kind of an universal joint and
further cushions the interaction of the felt and the wooden head to effectively
increase dampening.

Glue is first applied to the wooden head and red felt glued on then trimmed
with a VERY sharp knife.  The glued is then applied to the white felt and
alligned onto the red felt.

Damper replace is not difficult if done carefully.  Damper installation is not
difficult either, if done carefully.  Where many run into problems is with
impatience.  One damper at a time and made to work perfectly before the next is
installed will provide the best of dampening.

This is not rocket sceince just tedius.

	Record numbers and types of felts
	Remove old felt
	Clean heads and polish wires
	Remove and replace guide bushings
	Select felt to match old pattern
	Before cutting mark an edge so piece orientation will remain constant
	Flet is glued on so that marked edge is closest to wire
		or the other way around

Each corner of each felt must contact the string at the same time.  If the wire
is not vertical moving through the guide bushing bends below must be made to
make it so.  If the head moves sideways but wire is vertical the wire must be
bent above the guide bushing.  Left to right tilt, front to bach tilt and
rotation are rather obvious and easily corrected.

Installing and correcting each damper before the next is installed gives the
technician the ability to see what is happening from three sides and makes
corrections easily visible.

When the job is complete, it is complete and little or no correction will be
needed except retiming the dampers in about six to twelve months.

	Newton
	nhunt@rci.rutgers.edu