Half punchings on balance rail

[Bob Hull]

List,

I have searched the archives for comments on the
practice of cutting a felt balance rail punching in
half and glueing it to the bottom of the key (behind
the balance rail pin) in an effort to change lower
downweight and/or strike weight ratio.  

My search didn't yeild any previous discussions.  I
have tried this method (experimentally on the bench) 
which did lower the downweight too much, and lowered
the strike weight ratio from 5.78 to 5.31.  I'm
wanting a 5.5 ratio. The piano is a D on which I have
just replaced the hammers. They are a little on the
light side, I think, for a D. (#1 sw is 12.1, #40 is
9.7.)  It is in a small recital hall which doesn't
require huge tonal projection.

What do you think about this practice?  On another
note I tried just cutting off 1/4 of the front part
and it gave more desirable results.  

Comments?  Thank you for all the great help you
usually give.

P.S.  As you can tell, I'm trying to get a grasp on
using the smartchart.


Bob Hull

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