[pianotech] 1st time -SnS brass flange

[David Skolnik]

Lim -
In my limited experience with these flanges, I actually found them 
somewhat tech-friendly.  For example, I like not having to completely 
remove the flange screw when removing the hammer assembly.  I like 
that I can space the hammers by slightly loosening screw and, using a 
screwdriver blade, prying the flange in the desired direction.  Ron 
is obviously correct that swing-count is not a suitable unit of 
measurement to assess the pinning friction.  Since you're dealing 
with some limited amount of sluggishness, why not try a few 
applications of naptha, along with 'working' the flange, maybe some 
heat, and maybe some Protek?    I'm not sure how difficult repinning 
would be, if you did have to do so, but flanges would probably not be 
as tolerant of larger size pins as wood flanges.  Schaff lists them 
in their catalog (Maroon cover, Pg. 128, Part #512.)  Don says 
they're not left over APSCO and that they're good, so take that for 
what it's worth.

If repinning, main concern is to not have any side to side slop.  I'm 
guessing that, if you around 4 swings (holding assembly upside down 
using un-cut centerpin in pin-vise), you should be pretty good.

Luck -

David Skolnik
Hastings on Hudson, NY



At 11:00 AM 4/6/2012, you wrote:
>On 4/6/2012 8:57 AM, lim hock seng wrote:
>>Hi,
>>My 1st encounter with the brass flange on a SnS '40' upright. Its a
>>little sluggish on the last 2 octaves. Questions:
>>1. What would be the normal number of swings for these kind of flanges?
>>2. Are repinning steps the same for wooden flanges?
>>Thanks!
>>Lim
>
>
>Flanges have nothing to do with swings, bushings do, and the 
>bushings are nothing special.
>
>These are Billings flanges, yet another ill conceived aberration in 
>an industry that seems to collect them. Lacking the resilience of 
>wood, they hold the pin by a clamping action as the screw presses 
>the front and back together. Repinning requires prying the fold open 
>slightly to release the pin, which also risks breaking the flange at 
>the fold. I don't know that anyone even still sells Billings flanges 
>anymore, do they? Last I saw was from APSCO, I think, and they were 
>so very poorly made as to be unusable.
>
>Ron N

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