Pianotech

  • 1.  Are There Plastic Punchings (Front and Center)?

    Posted 12-07-2018 03:01
    Does there exist plastic front rail and balance rail punchings?  It seems like they would hold up better over time than paper punchings.

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    Cobrun Sells
    C.J. Piano Tuner
    www.cjtuner.com
    cobrun94@yahoo.com
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  • 2.  RE: Are There Plastic Punchings (Front and Center)?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-07-2018 06:05
    I've seen paper punchings under many felt punchings in many pianos well over 100 years old. It would seem to me that 100 years is plenty long enough. Plastic I haven't seen last that long on anything so far.

    Is there something about the environment in your area that eats paper punchings?

    Replacing all the paper punchings on a piano could be a source of income ..... a selling point similar to piano cleaning.

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    Larry Fisher
    Owner, Chief Grunt, Head Hosehead
    Vancouver WA
    360-256-2999
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  • 3.  RE: Are There Plastic Punchings (Front and Center)?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 12-08-2018 13:00
    I can well imagine that for plastic to come in such thin pieces as paper punchings, they would be too flimsy to handle. And full of static charges. If a cat walks through the room while you work with those, prepare for frustration. If the paper is deteriorating, it’s likely a sign that the cloth punchings are also due to be changed.

    Joe Wiencek




  • 4.  RE: Are There Plastic Punchings (Front and Center)?

    Posted 12-08-2018 17:31
    Alright, thanks.

    I thought I saw some plastic punchings in a piano once (some time ago) and the thought just occurred to me recently to figure out if plastic punchings were in actual use by technicians or not.

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    Cobrun Sells
    C.J. Piano Tuner
    www.cjtuner.com
    cobrun94@yahoo.com
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  • 5.  RE: Are There Plastic Punchings (Front and Center)?

    Posted 12-09-2018 00:52
      |   view attached
    There is something better:  fiber board washers. This material, also known as "fish paper" is used by some high end piano makers such Hamburg Steinway and Steingraeber. These punchings are unaffected by moisture, unlike paper, which expands (swells) and contracts, and often twists and warps, causing regulation to get out of whack. Also, a stack of paper punchings which have taken on the shape of Pringles adds an unwelcome spring and sponginess which robs energy from the system.
    Fiber board punchings are available for the balance rail as well as front rail, in several thicknesses.

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    Jurgen Goering
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