Dummy weights (was Re: Touchweight)

Norman Barrett barre46@ibm.net
Wed, 25 Aug 1999 18:07:16 -0500


harvey wrote:

> Seems like a good place to plug this in. I have the backcheck weights for
> bench reconditioning/regulation. I use 'em, and I hate 'em!
>
> I was once tempted to assemble one of the Wurlitzer-style devices for
> adding temporary weight to keys. I never finished the project. The
> Wurlitzer method was that of using a length of all-thread, along with 'xxx'
> washers flopping around on the rod, the washers obviously captive at the
> ends with nuts. It occurred to me that 3~5 washer-widths (per key) might
> not add sufficient mass to work, in spite of Wurlitzer claims that this was
> their factory method for pre-leveling.
>
> Has anyone ever tried this? OR, does anyone have comments on the nail-type
> weights? OR, does anyone have any other ideas besides the backcheck weights?
>
> Sorry for the tangential topic... otherwise it would be another ten years
> before I remembered it again! 8-}
>
> Jim Harvey, RPT

Hi Jim,

To build a weighting device that you describe long enough to cover the keyboard
would be much to heavy to handle. You are probable takling about Kimball or at
least there is a picture of a key weight in my Kimball grand regulation manual
which is 20 inches long to cover a section of the keys. Using 3/8" All Thread
rod and 1 3/8" washers with a 1" washer and a nut one each end of the rod is
plenty heavy enough to hold down the back end of the keys for preliminary key
leveling.

Norm Barrett
Memphis chapter




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