[pianotech] Easing Balance Holes : Kawai KG-1E

[Don Mannino]

Paul,

I don't think the angle of the pin needs to change the easing process.
Maybe I just haven't given that enough thought yet, though.

Kawai's preferred balance hole easing is to lift the key so that the bushing
just clears the top of the key, then let it fall.  We lift from the front
and check the fit, then lift from the back and check it that way.  Angle the
easing tool in the hole to favor the tighter direction - in other words, if
the key is more sluggish when lifted from the rear, angle the tool back
while easing.

The ideal easing is for the key to slide down slowly, but keeping in mind
the humidity is important.  In variable climates like yours, during very dry
weather ease it so that the key barely will slide back down the pin.  During
humid weather, it should fall freely.

This method makes the keys with more lead weights slightly tighter.

Don Mannino

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Paul Milesi
Sent: Saturday, October 08, 2011 1:00 PM
To: PTG Pianotech List
Subject: [pianotech] Easing Balance Holes : Kawai KG-1E

I am working on a 1991 Kawai KG-1E (5'4") in a church.  Among other things,
I replaced key bushings.  While easing keys, I realized that the balance
pins are installed perfectly perpendicular to the rail, rather than angled
back.  Should this change my approach to easing the balance hole?  I was
taught to lift the front of the key anywhere from 1/4" to 1" while the back
of the key rests on the back rail, and to ease for free fall of the key.  It
seems to me that on any piano, at some point lifting too far and easing to
allow for a freely falling key will cause chucking (pulley key).  In this
particular case, does having the pins perpendicular require less, or no,
lifting at the front, but rather lifting front and back of the key to check
balance hole fit?

Hoping Don Mannino might be watching....

Paul Milesi RPT
Washington DC
(202) 246-3136 Cell/Text
paul at pmpiano.com
http://www.pmpiano.com