On Friday, December 13, 2002, at 04:46 PM, Bigeartb@aol.com wrote: > I WANT TO FREE IT UP...SLICK IT UP...TUNE IT UP AND THEN WORRY > ABOUT THE DAMP CHASER LATER. I WANT IT 'FIXED NOW'. The question > is....is this possible and how? Maybe this is too obvious, but you could repin the flanges, reaming the bushings slightly. When it's done, it's done, no waiting. It that isn't instant enough, here is what I wrote on CAUT some time back on this problem: On 9/7/01 10:36 AM, "Avery Todd" <atodd@UH.EDU> wrote: > List, > > I'm sure most of you know about the flood and humidity problems > here in Houston. Because of what I assume are humidity related > problems, our newest 'D' (app. 3 yrs. old) is exhibiting some > excess friction in some of the hammer flanges and may also be > in the wippen flanges (I haven't checked that yet.) These types of humidity problems may be exceptional in Houston, but they are routine here in Kansas City. I have the "solution" for you: Protek. This year in KC the weather has not been unusually severe, other than the fact that the humidity has been up for months. The halls are measuring about 78% RH right now. This kind of humidity for months at a time will push some flanges over the line, but I don't believe they are very far over that "line". The suggestion of using a Dampp-Chaser rod is probably good, given that I think these flanges are just barely over the line. Our #1 D had a bound up jack and a bound up underlever top flange two weeks ago just as our Cliburn competition gold medalist was making his triumphant return and giving his celebratory concerts. I hit the offending flanges with Protek, worked the flanges a bit, and then they were fine. I have never had a failure in years of doing this. I would recommend against alcohol/water because of the possibility of overdoing it and the fact that that takes some time to work. In my experience Protek in a tight flange is not going to do any harm once the humidity goes down; you will still have a very nice firm flange. Kent Swafford
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