splaying hammers on Kawai console

[JOHN ROSS]

This might be another job, where Captain C/A, comes to the rescue.
For insurance, I would apply some C/A glue, at the ends, being sure not to 
get any, where it would affect the tone. So minimal amount.
John Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Sivak" <tvaktvak at sbcglobal.net>
To: "pianotech" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, March 23, 2008 10:50 AM
Subject: splaying hammers on Kawai console


> List
>
> I recently purchased (for resale) a Kawai console,
> model number unknown.  The piano had two hammers on
> which  the felt had come loose from the moulding and I
> replaced them.
>
> Looking at the piano more closely, I can see that
> there are another dozen hammers that have just started
> to come loose.   And by that I mean that if you look
> REAL closely, you can see that the very tip of the
> felt, farthest from the strike point is not quite
> flush with the wood.  You could fit a razor blade
> under the edge of the felt on these hammers whereas
> the remaining ones are completely flush with the
> moulding.  (All the hammers have staples.)
>
> Since I am reselling this piano, and I like to include
> a warranty with all my piano sales, I'm wondering your
> collective opinion on this situation.  Will these
> hammers follow their fallen brothers and open up like
> a butterfly in time?
>
> What causes this to happen anyway?  Heat?
> Moisture/water?  This piano did indeed have a little
> water damage, but it seemed confined to the far bass
> end of the cabinet.  No signs of water inside the
> piano, and furthermore, the hammers that separated
> were on the keys G6 and G#6, far from where the water
> was.
>
> If the adverse conditions that led to the hammers
> failing are no longer present, can I have any
> confidence in these hammers remaining viable for any
> length of time?
>
> Would it be prudent to apply  a little glue to these
> hammers in hopes of reinforcing their bond with the
> moulding?
>
> Whaddyathink?
>
> Thanks in advance,
> Tom Sivak
> Chicago
>
>