[pianotech] hammer return noise and update

[pmc033 at earthlink.net]

Something in this post made me recall something I've been trying to deal
with in the area of key noise.  So far I've seen this only on uprights. 
The keys make a noticeable slap/click noise if you hit it and immediately
let go.  What seems to happen is that the key returns, but bounces up at
the front.  The sound resembles a loose keytop.  What I found is that the
key is too loose at the balance rail hole, which allows it to bounce up and
down.  My cure is to close the balance hole by massaging it with a flat
blade (Yamaha key easing tool).  The usual key chucking remedies work as
well.  Just to make sure the key doesn't drop but slide down the keypin
with a little friction to inhibit the bounce.  
	
	FWIW.
	Paul McCloud
	San DIego


> [Original Message]
> From: William Truitt <surfdog at metrocast.net>
> To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
> Date: 03/01/2010 3:44:24 PM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] hammer return noise and update
>
> I don't recall you saying what make this piano is, but some keybeds,
> particularly laminated ones, can be very noisy. I have removed the
mounting
> block that the lyre attaches to on some pianos, and put a layer of felt in
> between its top and the bottom of the keybed to help quiet it down.  I
think
> I learned that one from Willis Snyder.
>
> Also, are you sure some of the keys aren't chucking and making noise?
>
> Will Truitt
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On
Behalf
> Of Gene Nelson
> Sent: Monday, March 01, 2010 5:52 PM
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] hammer return noise and update
>
> >>    Was the noise there before the
> > key buttons were changed?
> > Ron N
>
> Don't know. Just took measurements and tore it apart quite a while ago as 
> part of the restoration. It was in junkyard condition.
> However, you have given me one additional technique for locating noise - 
> thank you.
> Having been working on it off and on this morning I have found that my
jack 
> knuckle alignment did need minor touch up. I was able to quiet 11 keys
just 
> by moving them forward about 1/4 to 1/3 or so turn on the regulating
screw.
> Also took some 220 grit to the back edge of the jack, rounding it ever so 
> slightly - 5 more became quieter.
> Hanging a hammer on a WNG and Renner shank and exchanging for the worst 
> offenders did nothing.
> Re-pinning rep lever and increasing friction to 5g on the worst offenders 
> did nothing.
> Deep needling the knuckle through the buckskin into the core did almost 
> nothing, maybe a slight improvement on some - knuckles feel soft to me -
not
>
> much different than WNG or Renner.
> Re-examining the keys I found 8 that had been slightly over-eased at the 
> balance hole - resized them and it helped a bit but not a cure.
> Reduced rep spring tension and rep lever height to minimum on the worst 
> offenders - it really helped only one key, none of the others.
> It appears that there may be more than one issue going on here and my
ears 
> can only hear one noise type???
> When I remove the stack later to check as you suggest, I will also deep 
> needle some whip heal cushions and add some protek before reassembling.
> It has been fun.
> Gene 
>
>
>