[pianotech] 6 or 8 mm foot to gauge for action analysis

[John Dorr]

Dale wrote:
  I thought about doing some experiments by modifying the foot on my gauge to 
8 mm. A 6 to 1 ratio with An 8 mm foot will cause 48 mm of hammer rise. In 
which case the let-off button would need to be screwed up on many actions 
which is only slightly inconvenient but This modification would take into 
account more of the hammer travel as Bob suggested.
  Of course a lower ratio say 5.5 to 1 creates only 44 mm of hammer rise so in 
most c ases would be very workable. Routinely though action ratios seem to 
average something like 5.3 to 6.3.Yes, there are anomaly on either side of 
this..
    I think I'll do some comparison testing of a 6 mm & 8 mm foot on the 
action ratio block & see how much of a difference is had by allowing more of 
the entire key stroke come into the equation. This may be especially important 
when diagnosing the angled capstan systems we've been discussing.

PS Dale -- how's that Steinway L from Montana coming along?



Dale,

I'm vitally interested in what you find out there.  If you, and others, recall 
-- I wrote that article on regulating without specs by analyzing action ratios 
in this manner.  I'll be presenting a couple of classes in that in Grand 
Rapids and I'm planning on making a bunch of those 6 or 8 mmm key depressors 
for that reason.  I want to make a good decision between those two 
measurements.  (heck, maybe I'll make BOTH, and generate more class 
discussion)

BTW, I think it was David Anderson (forgive me, David, if I'm wrong) who said 
my methods seemed kind of "propeller head-ish", and I LOVED that.  Ed Sutton 
further teased me about recognizing me in the halls by my propeller-head 
beanie.  Welp, I've located them online, the beanies, that is, and I WILL be 
so attired!  Look for me.

John Dorr
Helena, MT