[pianotech] weights of hammers and shanks/replacement parts

[David Ilvedson]

I agree!

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: PAULREVENKOJONES at aol.com
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 10/24/2009 8:18:37 AM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] weights of hammers and shanks/replacement parts


>David:
> 
>I have to say that this is an exceedingly kind note to Julia, and  
>emblematic of the kind of colloquy for which this list is designed. 
> 
>Thanks.
> 
>Paul
> 
> 
>In a message dated 10/24/2009 2:10:55 P.M. Central Daylight Time,  
>stanwood at tiac.net writes:

>Hi  Julia,

>Perhaps the lowest tech way of matching hammer weights to match  
>existing key weights is to dry fit clusters of sample hammers hammers  
>mid-bass, mid-tenor, and mid-treble and find that weight that gives  
>you down weights in the high 40's.  Check the up weights and if they  
>are below 20 your friction is too high and if they are above 30 your  
>friction is too low...  I say clusters because no particular key  
>weighting is likely to be similar to neighbors so you have to look 
>for  average levels in each of the three major sections...

>Use a digital  scale accurate to 0.1 grams to measure the weights.

>If you want to know  what weight level your hammer are you can refer  to:

>http://www.stanwoodpiano.com/SW-HWstandards4.pdf

>If you want  to measure 88 of the ready to hang hammers, look at a 
>graph of the weights  using excel and come up with specifications to 
>smooth out the bumps you  can go to:

>http://www.stanwoodpiano.com/E-SmartChart2.4.xls

>The  weight of the modern parts isn't your main concern... plenty of 
>modern  pianos play beautifully... it's not the parts so much as the 
>configuration  of the weight and leverages... and keep an eye on that  
>friction!

>It's an extensive subject and very important to our  work.... Hammer 
>weight is the place to start!

>Good  Luck,

>David Stanwood

>>Greetings,
>>
>>     This is the first Steinway  that I am replacing 
>>hammers on. I would like to just replace what is  there. The keys 
>>have 4 to 5 lead weights in the bass. I don't think I  should change 
>>it.
>>
>>        What are  the pros and cons of just replacing parts that are 
>>there vs removing  key weights and changing ratios and weights?
>>
>>     Is there any reading I can do to help me through this job? I  
>>have replaced hammers and regulated before...on uprights, and pianos  
>>like Lester grands, but I have never done a Steinway and the whole  
>>weight figuring before.
>>
>>         When replacing hammers and shank/flange assemblies, does 
>>the  weight of the shanks along with the hammer weight affect  
>>downweights/upweights...or is only the hammer weight alone a factor  
>>for regulation?
>>
>>Thank You,
>>Julia  Gottshall
>>Reading,  PA