S&S D balance rail pins

[Paul]

This was explained to us during a tour of the Baldwin factory as an aid to
the workers, so they can lift the keys off the balance with one hand without
damaging the hole.

Paul Chick
----- Original Message -----
From: Delwin D Fandrich <pianobuilders@olynet.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 9:55 AM
Subject: Re: S&S D balance rail pins


>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Christopher D. Purdy" <purdy@oak.cats.ohiou.edu>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: June 28, 2001 5:57 AM
> Subject: S&S D balance rail pins
>
>
> > I am rebuilding a D #142465 (1910 I think) and have noticed something
odd.
> > The balance rail pins are leaning back towards the back of the frame.
> They
> > are at roughly 95 degrees to the keybed.  Same thing in the key mortice.
> > The problem comes with the key depressed, the back of the key button
tends
> > to hit the balance rail pin.
> >
> > I noticed when tearing this bird down that although there is a "normal"
> > amount of balance rail punchings, there was a ton of punchings on the
> front
> > rail pins.  I am still bushing keys and fitting them back to the frame
so
> I
> > am not into regulation yet but I have never noticed this pin angle
before.
> > Have I been asleep or is this weird?
> -----------------------------------------
>
> Yes, Rip, you've been asleep. This is standard, at least it is in most of
> the piano world. As near as I've been able to find it's done this way
simply
> to piano technicians from destroying the balance pin hole as they lift the
> front of the key to insert front rail punchings.
>
> We all, of course, follow the proper procedure of lifting the keys at both
> ends so that when we remove them from the keyframe we cause no damage to
the
> balance pin hole. Well, we do, don't we?
>
> Regards,
>
> Del
>
>