[pianotech] Re: Leveling keys (was whatever)

Phillip Ford fordpiano@earthlink.net
Mon, 09 Sep 2002 13:29:05 -0700



> >Any idea that
> > allows leveling of the keys
> > without removing the keys and placing little
> pieces of paper under them
> > qualifies as an interesting idea in my book.
> >
> > Phil F
> >

> It might turn
> out that this interesting idea is
> in the end not so interesting after all...
> because there is really no viable way
> of accomplishing the task.
> 
> I think we are stuck with the little pieces of
> paper Phil... and they are not all
> that big a problem really.

Oh, now you're just trying to make me mad. <G>

> 
> On the side.. I once saw an invention displayed
> that addressed this very problem.
> It was a balance rail pin that was fitted to a
> screw base the diameter of a
> standard felt punching. Straight slot at the
> top of the balance pin allow a
> screwdriver to turn the thing either up or
> down. Great idea... except its more
> expensive, and is prone to failure due to how
> climate, wood and screws all go
> together. Still,  was and is to date one of the
> better ideas I've seen along this
> line. 
> --
> Richard Brekne

I had this same idea (I didn't imagine that it was an original one - it seems
sort of obvious).  I imagine a problem being that the threads in the wood
would tend to get tight in certain environments. This could cause quite a bit
of windup and high torsion stress on the feeble little balance pin.  You might
overcome this by having a threaded insert in the balance rail into which these
balance pin inserts thread (assuming of course that you have to make your
balance rail out of wood - not an assumption I would naturally make).  One
problem, if you bend the pin, is that funny things will happen as you turn the
pin.

Phil F


Phillip Ford
Piano Service & Restoration
1777 Yosemite Ave - 215
San Francisco, CA  94124





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