Brass Rail Tension

[Michael Spalding]

Joey,

While fitting the pin, (i.e. before the pin has been clipped to length) you
can slip the pin into one or both sides of the bushed butt and, holding the
protruding end of the pin, swing the hammer.  One bushing at a time lets
you equalise the fit between the two sides.  No way I know of to put a gram
scale on it, but you quickly get a feel for the right amount of friction.

Mike


> [Original Message]
> From: Joey Recker <joey@onkeypianotuning.com>
> To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Date: 10/13/2003 6:15:57 PM
> Subject: Brass Rail Tension
>
> How do I check the tension for center pins in a brass rail?
>
> I'm working on a 1907 M. Schulz upright.  It has a brass rail.  Most of
> the hammers are sluggish.  No sign of vertigris etc...  
>
> I've started re-pinning the hammer butts (had to rebush a few that have
> come apart during the process). I'm familiar with checking the tension
> on items with wood flanges.  But on the brass rail I'm having to install
> the hammer, check the tension, re-pin, re-bush, ream or burnish,
> re-install, try again, etc...   After many tries, many of them just
> don't seem to be getting any better.  Any tricks of the trade?
>
> I'm having a hard time with this one.  (But, like daddy said,  "If it
> was easy, everyone would do it!").
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> Joey Recker  
>
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