Wrapup on Wippen Cushion Cloth Replacement

[Gordon Holley]

Thanks Joe for the suggestion on the steam and iron dry.  I've tried 
the vodka, I've also tried the steaming and ironing dry, and I 
haven't been able to raise all the dimples satisfactorily on the 
wippen cushions that I've worked on, 2 grands, two uprights and two 
spinets.  So, this time I'm going to replace the white felt/cloth 
cushion along with the red, ala the Steinway wippen, and follow some 
directions from Ed Foote.
I've ordered the 5/8" wide strips of white and the 3/16" red cloth 
from Steinway - $9.00 + freight.  I'll use hot hide glue, and I'm 
waiting on a suggestion from Ed Foote on making some cauls, maybe 6 
ea, to hold the white felt/cloth down at the both ends, in the "heel" 
notch with a spring clamp on the caul and wippen, while the glue 
dries.  
I'll see how this works after I'm finished and then put a short blurb 
on the list noting the procedure, materials, time and costs.  
I researched the archives and didn't find enough info to work with 
and that's why I put my post on the list to begin with.
My regards, Gordon Holley
Associate Member, Indiana Chapter 467
On 29 Jan 2003 at 9:00, Joe And Penny Goss wrote:

> Hi Gordon,
> Were the dimples that did not go away the ones that did not soak up the
> Vodka?
> Steam then iron dry.
> Joe Goss
> imatunr@srvinet.com
> www.mothergoosetools.com
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gordon Holley" <gholley@hi-techhousing.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, January 29, 2003 8:52 AM
> Subject: Wippen Cushion Cloth Replacement
> 
> 
> > List.  I would like some guideance on this subject.  I intend to
> > replace the wippen (Steinway) cushion cloth on all 88 wippens.  They
> > are also known as heel cloth, support cushion, capstan and rocker
> > heel depending on which wippen and wether the piano is an upright or
> > a grand.
> > In the past I used a recommendation from Susan Kline, to raise the
> > dimple impression made by the capstan, by tipping the action upside
> > down in the cradle, and placing a drop(s) of vodka in the dimple.  On
> > one old Packard upright, I worked on, some of the impressions lifted
> > while others remained unchanged.  On some of the dimples the drop of
> > vodka never soaked into the cloth.
> > I wish to replace the cloth cushions on these wippens and my research
> > has me this far.
> > 1) Schaff (Cal) recommends using the #317W, medium thickness, .118"
> > abstract cloth and cut it down to the size of 3/8" x 5/8".
> >    A 1" x 52" strip of the cloth will cut down to 166 pieces at a
> > cost of $3.53.
> > 2) It only takes a minute to remove the old cloth and remove the
> > dried glue.
> >
> > Your help please.
> > 1) Is the medium thickness of .118" the ideal thickness or are there
> > other reasons to use the thick or thin cloth?.
> >
> > 2) Cal at Schaff recommends using Titebond Glue to glue the ends of
> > the cloth.  I do know not to glue the entire cloth, only the ends.
> >     Are there other recommendations on the glue to use?.
> >
> > 3) Other than holding the cloth in place on the wippen, until it
> > dries, is there any other proven or recommended procedure for
> > securing the cloth.
> >
> > 4) What specific cutter or knife should be used to cut the cloth?.
> >
> > I'm very appreciative for any words of wisdom and experience from the
> > experts.
> > See you all at the Dallas Convention this year and I'm looking
> > forward to personally meeting several of you.
> >
> > Regards,
> > Gordon Holley
> > Associate Member (Finally)
> > Chapter, Indiana 467
> > _______________________________________________
> > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
> 
> _______________________________________________
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