Jim Ialeggio Posted: 2012/04/12 5:47:00 PM Subject: Regulating 1870-80 miiler square Message: Looking for leads on a reference work to help in regulating a Miller square from the 1870-early 80's. Trying to resolve these questions: 1 Are the shanks supposed to rest on the felt, like an upright, with some lost motion? 2 With the single escapement, will repetition only occur if key returns to rest before a second blow? 3 I see provisions to adjust hammer height. With reasonable hammer reshaping, raise shanks, retain original blow, and raise rest rail, or add felt? 4 action centers appear to be brass. Reuse center pins and deal with felt as necessary? Jim, The answers are:' 1. Yes. Only sufficient lost motion to allow the jack to return under the hammer butt. This MUST be when the action is IN the piano! Because the action frame is so thin/flexible, you will never get it correct on the bench...close however on the bench.<G> BTW, in order to adjust the lost motion, effectively, you will need to drill the hammer rest rail for rocker capstan screw access. 2. YES That's all it's designed for.<G> 3. Do not do that. If large amounts of the hammer has been removed, you need new hammers! What the blow is, is of little consequence. After all, this will never play like a modern piano! Don't try to do that! You'll drive yourself insane!<G> 4. Action centers on the hammer flanges are adjustable. This helps touch and repetition the greatest amount. Two to Three bounces on the hammer rail is the criteria. (If you want that explained, call me.<G>) Use standard center pins and bushing felt. Nothing is sacred on these, imo. (unless it happens to be a Christophori!<G>) Hope that helps, (also hoping you're monitoring this olde list, otherwise you're out of luck.<G>) Joe Joe Garrett, R.P.T. Captain of the Tool Police Squares R I
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