> I might be reluctant to use plastics in a piano that was meant to last a >long time since I don't believe there is yet a track record for longevity with >the plastics available now. Kawai has been torture testing ABS flanges for nearly 30 years. The first ones installed still test stronger than new wood. I'd guess it was probably fairly safe by now, since pianos don't last longer than that anyway... right? --------- I wasn't aware of that. 30 years is a pretty good life expectancy for an action part that gets regularly used and serviced (and replaced). So, this shouldn't be a limitation. --------- > In regard to the question of teflon flanges with teflon bushings > - if you're >making the flange out of teflon why do you even need a bushing? Just drill or >ream the hole to the proper size for the pin. This would seem to speed things >up in the assembly process. Teflon is too soft to work as a flange, and when a ham handed field tech butchered one, the whole flange would have to be replaced - and they'd be slippery and hard to handle. <G> ---------- I agree about the slippery part. There'd be a lot of flanges lost under the bench <G>. I'm not sure about the soft part. See: http://www.dupont.com/teflon/chemical/properties.html The numbers look like they might be in the hardwood and felt range. Also, there are many polymer formulations containing teflon that aren't pure teflon that would probably work. As far as ham handed technicians the same would apply to felt bushings (hey, there's always a number 25 pin if you messed up the last three attempts). If you messed up one attempt at repinning you could try it again several times with the teflon flange as well. And a teflon flange should be as easy to replace as a felt bushing. Also, I was thinking of this more as an application for low end pianos where the cost of assembly is a primary consideration. After they're put together there doesn't need to be any service, right? ----------- >I'm surprised some manufacturer hasn't thought of this already >(maybe they have and I don't know about it). They did, but decided against. Didn't you get the call? ------------ I'm always the last to know. ------------ >As to the comment that all wood parts would have to be made of ABS (or other >plastic), why? Why can't you mix? Some parts could be plastic and some parts >wood, as seems appropriate. You can. It's done, and it seems quite appropriate. Shanks are still wood, even if the rest of the action is ABS. ----------- Wonder why they don't like ABS for the shanks? ----------- > About the Kawai actions with ABS parts? I have not seen one of > these yet. >What sort of bushings do these use? Bushing cloth, like wood ones (only less trouble). They're very nice actions. Ron N ----------- I'm going to make it a point to look for one. Phil F -----------
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