heavy actioan

[Wilsons]

Frank:
    you might check to see if you have the necessary slight bit of free
vertical movement in the keys before anything else starts to move in the
action.  There has to be a slight amount of free movement for escapement
and return of the jack.  This is your capstan adjustment, usually
accomlished on a spinet by means of an adjusting nut where the sticker
connects to the back of the key.
    You might disattach the sticker from the back of the key and remove the
key so you can check the action for stiffness.  This also allows you to
isolate the key to feel for stiffness.
    Have you checked action centers?  Wurlitzers and some others are ones
I've noticed that often have tight action centers....
    Sometimes, spinets have such extreme angles in the keys that they rub.
This, combined sometimes with extremely coarse work in key mfg, causes
rubbing.  I doubt this is your cause, though, because it feels much
different when it happens.
    Hope this helps.
---Wally Wilson, RPT
     Ravenswood, WV

Frank Cahill wrote:

> I tuned a kimball spinet today with a very heavy action.
>
> I'd like to lighten things up but can't pinpoint the source. I checked
> the following:
>
> 1. Checked key bushings...they are snug. I eased one front bushing that
> seemed a little tight...no help. Balance rail key bushings ok.
>
> 2. Checked hammer return and whipps..they seemed ok
>
> 3. Played piano with dampler pedal depressed...that helped. I noticed
> that dampers lifted at less than 1/3 of hammer travel. I adjusted a
> coupple of dampers for very, very late lift. That seemed to help.  I
> checked damper lever felts...they looked very good..no tearing or deep
> pocket from spoon.
>
> So far, all I can see is a damper timing problem. I figure I could
> adjust some samples and them remove action and adjust remaining dampers
> to samples.   I can't imagine adjusting the dampers with action in
> piano.
>
> Am I missing something? The changes due to damaper adjustment are not
> earth shattering...I'd hate to remove a spinet action, adjust dampers,
> and then find out it was a waste of time.
> --
>
> Frank Cahill
> Associate Member, Piano Technicians Guild
> Northern Va