[pianotech] return spring

[David Skolnik]

Before this thread vaporizes, what seems would be helpful would be a 
clear explanation of what's involved in modifying this material: 
tempered spring steel.  I don't think it would be that difficult to 
fabricate a small press and, with perhaps the use of a torque gauge 
(like the dial one we use to measure tuning pin torque) be able to 
measure, fairly precisely, the strength of an individual spring, 
reflecting how much pressure is required to deflect spring a given 
amount.  Of course, the height (distance between planes of screw 
holes and active contact surfaces of spring) would be an important factor.

The other ambiguity remains how to successfully modify it.  We have:


slow deformation, past what point?
sudden impact
(Wim standing vs. jumping - does Wim need to eat more, or less (to be 
able to jump higher?))
heat
should there be hot coals under the spring Wim is jumping on?   (to 
heat the spring or make Wim jump higher?)

Are there some changes that are temporary and others that are more permanent?

I'll ask a related question about lube on a spin-off thread.

David Skolnik
Hastings on Hudson, NY