[pianotech] key leveling with a curve

Roger Gable roger at gablepiano.com
Sun Oct 17 12:43:00 MDT 2010


Et al,
Try this theory:
 
Given the string height is curved &
Given the let-off matches the string height curve &
Given the hammer height is curved to maintain constant hammer travel.
The wippen heel to capstan line will be curved to reflect the hammer line curve.
Now, the bottom of the key at the balance rail hole line must be curved to maintain a constant leverage arm length,
and to maintain a constant angle of attack.

If you think this theory is sheep-dip try placing a .007" balance punching under a key and notice
how far the hammer rises and how much increased aftertouch is felt. You can compensate for the increased key dip by 
simply adding front rail punchings, but you also will have to back down the capstan to restore hammer height, thus demonstrating
that you now have a shorter lever arm.

Roger Gable

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: PAULREVENKOJONES at aol.com 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 2:01 PM
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] key leveling with a curve




  In a message dated 10/12/2010 2:16:57 P.M. Central Daylight Time, nelsong at intune88.com writes:
    Are there other reasons for curve leveling that I am missing?

  Correct me if I'm wrong (there's a dependable hope), but the most general argument I've heard is that it is to compensate for the greater playing of the piano in the middle and the compression over time of parts and underkey felts, etc. I can see the argument for mimicking the string plane curve (maybe), but the former argument strikes me as uncompelling. 

  P
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