Hi All, Just a quick introduction. I'm John A. Tuttle. I've been gainfully employed as an independent player piano technician/rebuilder for just over 25 years in central New Jersey. I've serviced some 7000 units. At the recommendation of Jon Page, I've joined this forum in the hopes of gaining new insights, procedures and opinions from other professionals in the industry. I am not a member of the PTG, but have considered joining. As an interesting side, I've been receiving literature about PTG events for many years but always find the costs involved a bit steep (just an observation, I'm not trying to sound critical). Anyhow... Willem Blees, from St. Louis commented yesterday: "Then put tape at several spots from the backs checks to the hammer rail. This will keep the back checks up tight against the action, and prevent the jacks from slipping under the butts." I found tape messy and it's not reusable. Years ago I made up a small 1/2" X 1/2" X 50" piece of wood from old oak flooring. On each end (about 1/2" in from the end), I carved a groove all the way around. In my toolbox, I also carry a small 1/2" X 1/2" X 3" piece of oak (from the same piece of old flooring) with four pieces of rugged nylon twine (it's a bit heavier than string). Initially, I made the device up for removing drop actions but it has served me very well in instances when an upright action has to be removed and the condition of the bridal straps is questionable. (Many people subscribe to the thinking: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.) Affixing the device is really simple (which is in keeping with the K.I.S.S. mentality and my pet: DIPUTS-Design Ideas Predicated Upon Technical Simplicity). Place the piece of wood 'under' the backchecks or lost-motion adjusters (depending on the action) such that it 'hooks' on the pieces. Take a piece of the twine, double-wrap it around each end of the wooden piece and tie it off behind the adjacent action post. Then do the same to the other end. Use the two remaining pieces for the center action posts and cinch everything up tight (sometimes readjustment is desirable). As an interesting footnote, I purchased the four-piece set of round metal rods (sold by APSCO-and most likely others) for the task, some years earlier. They were a pain. When applying pressure, they would often roll right over the adjuster (in drop actions) and I'd look like an idiot and have to start over. A few humilating experiences like that will get those grey cells working. Musically, John A. Tuttle (john@player-care.com) Brick, NJ 'www.player-care.com' =====================================
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC