[pianotech] Steinway back checks

[Encore Pianos]

I have long done something very similar to what David does.  It does not
take long, and it is not hard to do at all.  There is another added
advantage in that you can change the height of the back check to customize
it to the hammers.  Having the back checks at the right height for the
individual  piano will improve the checking.  

 

Will Truitt

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of David Love
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2012 7:02 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Steinway back checks

 

Agreed, no weight issue.  

 

I've just found it easier.  Extracting the old wires from the keys takes no
longer than removing the old leather and cleaning the residue (faster in
fact).  You shouldn't have to glue any key end block.  I use the following
procedure (see photos attached).  Set up your drill press next to the bench
vise.  Extract the old ones securing the end blocks in a vise and just pry
them out with a wooden dowel and (okay joe) an old pair of wire cutters to
grip the wires.   The vise will keep the end blocks from detaching.  After
indexing the drill press to press them in the right depth, make the
following jig which matches the angle of the holes drilled in the back end
of the key.  Use a stop block on the end of the jig to index the key
position on the slope.  The sandpaper keeps the key from slipping.
Sometimes you have to open the hole in the back of the key a bit depending
on whether the new wires are a match in diameter for the old ones.  Secure
the check with one hand as you get it started and press it in as it may tend
to want to buckle over.  

 

David Love

www.davidlovepianos.com

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of David Skolnik
Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2012 2:44 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Steinway back checks

 

I didn't mean to imply there was, in fact, a weight issue.  I just didn't
want to focus on that, in case there was.  I suppose one could cordially
argue whether one method is easier than the other (recovering requires no
extracting, regluing of loose damper blocks, releveling, rebending of wires)
but it's hardly worth it, unless everything else is right with the world.
As for gluing fingers together, I presumed that's one of the reasons to have
the band saw handy. 

David Skolnik
Hastings on Hudson, NY



 

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