Return Springs on a Baldwin 243

[Tony Caught]

Hi Bill,

A fast cheap solution to this problem is to put a very thick wool (knitting
type) in a needle. Poke the needle through the hammer butt close to the
cushion and above the butt leather.  Trim of excess felt.

This will cause the butt leather shape to change and should then AFTER
REGULATION lowering the jacks, allow the jack freer entry to its play
position.

Regards

Tony Caught ICPTG
Australia
caute@optusnet.com.au

----- Original Message -----
From: Rob Kiddell <atonal@telusplanet.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Friday, December 29, 2000 12:54 AM
Subject: Re: Return Springs on a Baldwin 243


> Bill,
>
> You have encountered the problem I face on a daily basis working
> at a Baldwin dealer: how to make vertical actions repeat faster.
>
> The 243 Hamilton action is common among all verticals using the
> Baldwin name, and the repetition problem seems to boil down to
> incorrect hammer butt leather geometry. The profile of the butt
> leather is not rounded, but rounded near the butt felt and flat near
> the catcher shank, Because of this, the jack won't return until it
> has cleared the rounded bump and slides home on the flat spot.
> Old butts, new butts, doesn't matter... they are roughly of the same
> geometry. However, you have an opportunity here... if the leather is
> hardened (and needs replacement) you can bolster the leather to a
> better profile, removing the bump at the bottom and allowing for
> better jack return. Check this out with a new hammer butt if you
> have one handy.
>
> Two comments:
>
> 1) Raising the hammer rail and allowing more lost motion helps
> somewhat as you are changing the jack/leather contact angle,
> allowing the jack to skate over the bump at the bottom of the butt
> easier
>
> 2)  Mark's reply about moving the catchers in closer allows the butt
> to be caught higher and the jack can spring back without having to
> contact the bottom of the leather
>
> Check this out....
>
> Regards,
>
>
>
> Rob Kiddell RPT
> Atonal Piano Service
> http://www.telusplanet.net/public/atonal/