[pianotech] Re. Baldwin hammers

[tnrwim at aol.com]

What are you using to re-glue the hammers? How do
you clamp them? 


I put super glue on the molding, squirt some kicker on it, and then clamp the felt with vice grips. It sets in about 30 seconds. 

If there are less than 10 hammers, and then only the top, I do this with the action on the piano. But when there are more than 10, and especially when there are a lot with the felt loose on the bottom, I take the action home. The problem is that when I do one side, the other side comes loose. That is why I am able to convince the customer to replace the set. 

The problem is mostly on Hamiltons, but it has also happens on consoles, as in the piano I pictured. 

Wim

 



-----Original Message-----
From: Douglas Gregg <classicpianodoc at gmail.com>
To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Mon, Sep 10, 2012 4:55 am
Subject: [pianotech] Re.  Baldwin hammers


Wim,

I think we are in a similar climate, though Long Island is not as
warm-pitty. I see Baldwin hammers open up on a pretty regular basis.
Here, they are mostly in pianos that spent some time in a garage or
basement. I think the Baldwin glue is just too moisture sensitive and
the lack of staples. What are you using to re-glue the hammers? How do
you clamp them? I have a couple neat clamps that are ratcheted and
just fit the shape of a bass hammer. I put it in a TT&T.  Too bad that
they are no longer available from Garrett Wade. I saw small spring
clamps the same shape at Home Depot a couple weeks ago. They would
make a good substitute. They were pretty cheap too.

Doug Gregg
Classic Piano Doc
Southold, NY 11971

Message: 1
Date: Sat, 8 Sep 2012 22:24:28 -0400 (EDT)
From: tnrwim at aol.com
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] Baldwin hammers
Message-ID: <8CF5C495E3A1586-D68-315FA at webmail-d039.sysops.aol.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"


This is a picture of Baldwin hammers, with the felt coming loose from
the molding. Since I've been here, I've replaced about dozen sets, and
glued the felt back on about 3 or 4 dozen pianos. The thing is, I
don't think I ever saw this when I was in St. Louis or in Alabama, but
then I didn't service that many Baldwins back then.

The question I have is, is it just happening in Hawaii because of the
climate, or is this happening all over the country because Baldwin
hammers were not glued properly at the factory, and without staples,
and they are just now starting to come loose after 10 - 15 years?

Wim

 
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