I often wondered if there couldn't be a system using the actual balancier pin with a machined thread on the base of the pin and a screw head adjustment of the top would work. Then the fulcrum will be true and then it would be just a matter of raising and lower the base of the balancier key pin. Obviously there would need to be some sort of welded washer at the base of the balancier pin to define the base. If we are talking about the balance rail pin, I've wondered about that, too, but could not get past what would happen to the leveling aspect when bending balance pins in order to square the keys. Alan Eder -----Original Message----- From: Tom Servinsky <tompiano at bellsouth.net> To: pianotech at ptg.org Sent: Tue, Mar 9, 2010 3:51 am Subject: Re: [pianotech] key leveling system There is a diagonally drilled hole with the base of hole just to the player's side of the balancier pin. The ones that I've seen had a smaller version of a left-off button at the base of the key which can be raised or lowered for correct leveling. The screw end of the business is the same type head as a drop screw adjustment head. It's just a matter of using your tool to level with no need of any balancier punchings to get to your desired goal. Pretty slick and easy. Why this idea never took off with other companies is beyond me. I often wondered if there couldn't be a system using the actual balancier pin with a machined thread on the base of the pin and a screw head adjustment of the top would work. Then the fulcrum will be true and then it would be just a matter of raising and lower the base of the balancier key pin. Obviously there would need to be some sort of welded washer at the base of the balancier pin to define the base. I think the downside of the Ludwig method is the potential for added friction as the fulcrum is much broader due to the combined space of the balancier pin and leveling device. But hey....hat's off to Ludwig for implementing a great idea! Tom Servinsky ----- Original Message ----- From: Terry Farrell To: pianotech at ptg.org Sent: Monday, March 08, 2010 10:13 PM Subject: Re: [pianotech] key leveling system Wim, this is indeed very interesting, but I really can't figure out what the setup is with your pictures. Please, please, please, keep doing the excellent piano servicing you likely do, and DO NOT try a new career in photography! ;-) Terry Farrell On Mar 6, 2010, at 6:21 PM, wimblees at aol.com wrote: This morning I tuned a 1924 Ludwig grand with a key leveling system I had never seen before. In each key, in front of the balance rail hole and pin is a screw that goes through the key. (see picture #1). The other on of this screw is like a capstan screw, which rests on a felt rail, which is the fulcrum of the key. (#2 and #3). The balance rail is used only to keep it from wobbling from side to side. The key height is adjusted using this screw. I've never seen a system like this. It's actually quite ingenious, and wonder why it was not accepted by other manufacturers. It did not feel any difference in how the piano played. Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT Piano Tuner/Technician 94-505 Kealakaa Str. Mililani, Oahu, HI 96789 808-349-2943 www.Bleespiano.com Author of: The Business of Piano Tuning available from Potter Press www.pianotuning.com <key level # 1.jpg><Key level # 2.jpg><key level # 3.jpg> -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech.php/attachments/20100309/ce5cd615/attachment.htm>
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