installing new knuckles

[Jon Page]

At 09:23 AM 12/9/98 -0600, you wrote:
>>...The smooth surface is oriented in
>>the direction of the jack escaping for a smooth touch...
>>Jon Page
>I would never have thought I would have to ask this again, but it appears I
>will have to do so.
>
>This direction of the "knap of the knuckle" thing.  What Jon and Barrie
>have mentioned does not ring correctly from what I thought I understood a
>long time ago.
>
>So.............
>Which is it?  Smooth on the way out or smooth on the way in.  Is there
>anyone who can officially settle this matter, please?
>Keith McGavern

Keith,
In the Renner USA Parts Kit, every knuckle has the smooth surface oriented
with jack escapement, towards the flange. Ditto on the S&S and Tokiwa sets.

Since the jack is actually in contact with the knuckle while depressing the
key
it makes sense to me not to have the jack roughing up the nap each time. The 
repetition lever holds the knuckle up for the jack to slip back under. If
the nap
were to inhibit the jack's return, the knuckles are too rough anyways and
should
be replaced.  Also,  more importantly;  is the knuckle riding on the rep
lever. On
depressing the key, the contact motion between the knuckle and the lever is
towards the flange. So this is where you want reduced friction.

Where friction is an important factor in actions, orienting the nap for smooth
operation is essential. The knuckle will still have a drag effect on the
jack being
leather, it does not need the added resistance of going against the nap too.

After treating knuckles with a mixture of Protek and teflon powder and
letting it dry,
I burnish the knuckles with cork glued onto a  strip of wood. The spacers
from Renner
shank sets is great for this. And always with the last stroke towards the
flange.

I'm ready for a nap myself,


Jon Page
Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Mass. (jpage@capecod.net)
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