Pianotech

I completely rebuilt the pedal box on a Mason & Hamlin 1920's Grand and eliminated all of the noise and sloppy side play. The Una Chorda and Sostenuto work fine and I put new leather on all of the places in the trap work levers where the old pieces had crumbled or had been greased. The sustain trap works however has developed groans and creaks which I have traced to the tension spring on the main lever that supports the Pitman. I removed all of the pieces so I can glue some materials between the parts to prevent wood to wood contact and metal to wood. Here is what I plan to use - some felt on top of the brackets used to hold the lever- this would stop wood to wood noise; buckskin under the tension spring glued onto the lever, thin nylon washers or teflon washers between the lever and mounting brackets. There is very little space between the bracket and lever when the trapwork pin is inserted. Whatever material that is there is loaded with grease and pretty dried out. At this stage I think this will resolve the creaking/groaning and I am fairly certain the pitman dowel and bushing in the keybed is fine. So.... I am looking for suggestions on what would be better choices . This piano is used in an exhibit area of the famous Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC and is being used for concerts, recitals, events. I have been tasked with its upkeep and improvement and it has come a long way from the days it was in storage and was barely playable. In 2022 I am hoping to proceed with rebuilding the top action but my immediate need is to get the annoying pedal groan out. The piano has historic historical significance since it was owned by Anna Hyatt Huntington who founded the Gardens and was a world renowned Sculptor.

I can take and post pictures to help visualize the current condition of the parts. Teflon /nylon may or may not be the best choice for isolating the lever and the bracket sides just as buckskin may wear down too quickly. That said what would you use ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Is the pitman held firmly in a felt-bushed hole? If so, then perhaps the noise you hear is the ends of the pitman sliding along the lifter tray and the trapwork lever. Replacing with a thinner dowel, pinned at each end will have it functioning better.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 11:41
From: James Kelly
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

I completely rebuilt the pedal box on a Mason & Hamlin 1920's Grand and eliminated all of the noise and sloppy side play. The Una Chorda and Sostenuto work fine and I put new leather on all of the places in the trap work levers where the old pieces had crumbled or had been greased. The sustain trap works however has developed groans and creaks which I have traced to the tension spring on the main lever that supports the Pitman. I removed all of the pieces so I can glue some materials between the parts to prevent wood to wood contact and metal to wood. Here is what I plan to use - some felt on top of the brackets used to hold the lever- this would stop wood to wood noise; buckskin under the tension spring glued onto the lever, thin nylon washers or teflon washers between the lever and mounting brackets. There is very little space between the bracket and lever when the trapwork pin is inserted. Whatever material that is there is loaded with grease and pretty dried out. At this stage I think this will resolve the creaking/groaning and I am fairly certain the pitman dowel and bushing in the keybed is fine. So.... I am looking for suggestions on what would be better choices . This piano is used in an exhibit area of the famous Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC and is being used for concerts, recitals, events. I have been tasked with its upkeep and improvement and it has come a long way from the days it was in storage and was barely playable. In 2022 I am hoping to proceed with rebuilding the top action but my immediate need is to get the annoying pedal groan out. The piano has historic historical significance since it was owned by Anna Hyatt Huntington who founded the Gardens and was a world renowned Sculptor.

I can take and post pictures to help visualize the current condition of the parts. Teflon /nylon may or may not be the best choice for isolating the lever and the bracket sides just as buckskin may wear down too quickly. That said what would you use ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Ya know I love almost everything about M&H grands esp. from this period EXCEPT the convoluted trapwork .
www.snowpianos.com

------------------------------
Martin Snow
South Burlington VT
617-543-1030
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 12:50
From: Jon Page
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Is the pitman held firmly in a felt-bushed hole? If so, then perhaps the noise you hear is the ends of the pitman sliding along the lifter tray and the trapwork lever. Replacing with a thinner dowel, pinned at each end will have it functioning better.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 11:41
From: James Kelly
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

I completely rebuilt the pedal box on a Mason & Hamlin 1920's Grand and eliminated all of the noise and sloppy side play. The Una Chorda and Sostenuto work fine and I put new leather on all of the places in the trap work levers where the old pieces had crumbled or had been greased. The sustain trap works however has developed groans and creaks which I have traced to the tension spring on the main lever that supports the Pitman. I removed all of the pieces so I can glue some materials between the parts to prevent wood to wood contact and metal to wood. Here is what I plan to use - some felt on top of the brackets used to hold the lever- this would stop wood to wood noise; buckskin under the tension spring glued onto the lever, thin nylon washers or teflon washers between the lever and mounting brackets. There is very little space between the bracket and lever when the trapwork pin is inserted. Whatever material that is there is loaded with grease and pretty dried out. At this stage I think this will resolve the creaking/groaning and I am fairly certain the pitman dowel and bushing in the keybed is fine. So.... I am looking for suggestions on what would be better choices . This piano is used in an exhibit area of the famous Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC and is being used for concerts, recitals, events. I have been tasked with its upkeep and improvement and it has come a long way from the days it was in storage and was barely playable. In 2022 I am hoping to proceed with rebuilding the top action but my immediate need is to get the annoying pedal groan out. The piano has historic historical significance since it was owned by Anna Hyatt Huntington who founded the Gardens and was a world renowned Sculptor.

I can take and post pictures to help visualize the current condition of the parts. Teflon /nylon may or may not be the best choice for isolating the lever and the bracket sides just as buckskin may wear down too quickly. That said what would you use ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Is this a standard trapwork or the M&H cast iron maiden conflagration?

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 13:11
From: Martin Snow
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Ya know I love almost everything about M&H grands esp. from this period EXCEPT the convoluted trapwork .
www.snowpianos.com

------------------------------
Martin Snow
South Burlington VT
617-543-1030

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 12:50
From: Jon Page
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Is the pitman held firmly in a felt-bushed hole? If so, then perhaps the noise you hear is the ends of the pitman sliding along the lifter tray and the trapwork lever. Replacing with a thinner dowel, pinned at each end will have it functioning better.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 11:41
From: James Kelly
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

I completely rebuilt the pedal box on a Mason & Hamlin 1920's Grand and eliminated all of the noise and sloppy side play. The Una Chorda and Sostenuto work fine and I put new leather on all of the places in the trap work levers where the old pieces had crumbled or had been greased. The sustain trap works however has developed groans and creaks which I have traced to the tension spring on the main lever that supports the Pitman. I removed all of the pieces so I can glue some materials between the parts to prevent wood to wood contact and metal to wood. Here is what I plan to use - some felt on top of the brackets used to hold the lever- this would stop wood to wood noise; buckskin under the tension spring glued onto the lever, thin nylon washers or teflon washers between the lever and mounting brackets. There is very little space between the bracket and lever when the trapwork pin is inserted. Whatever material that is there is loaded with grease and pretty dried out. At this stage I think this will resolve the creaking/groaning and I am fairly certain the pitman dowel and bushing in the keybed is fine. So.... I am looking for suggestions on what would be better choices . This piano is used in an exhibit area of the famous Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC and is being used for concerts, recitals, events. I have been tasked with its upkeep and improvement and it has come a long way from the days it was in storage and was barely playable. In 2022 I am hoping to proceed with rebuilding the top action but my immediate need is to get the annoying pedal groan out. The piano has historic historical significance since it was owned by Anna Hyatt Huntington who founded the Gardens and was a world renowned Sculptor.

I can take and post pictures to help visualize the current condition of the parts. Teflon /nylon may or may not be the best choice for isolating the lever and the bracket sides just as buckskin may wear down too quickly. That said what would you use ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

It is standard trapwork with wooden trap levers that have wooden brackets. I had replaced all of the old leather contact points with new leather. I should have taken the time to do the lever where the noise is coming from but at the time it was not making noises. I do not think the pitman dowel and the bushing are causing issues but then again trying to locate the sources of noise/groans/creaking can be difficult. If the problem is not solved by placing leather or buckskin where the tension spring sits on the lever I will put pins on the pitman as suggested.  BTW I am not sure what the M&H cast iron maiden conflagration although I had worked on a BB that had a large action shift lever that was very hard to position and was contacting the pedal rods or some other things ( I forget)

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 19:14
From: Jon Page
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Is this a standard trapwork or the M&H cast iron maiden conflagration?

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 13:11
From: Martin Snow
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Ya know I love almost everything about M&H grands esp. from this period EXCEPT the convoluted trapwork .
www.snowpianos.com

------------------------------
Martin Snow
South Burlington VT
617-543-1030

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 12:50
From: Jon Page
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Is the pitman held firmly in a felt-bushed hole? If so, then perhaps the noise you hear is the ends of the pitman sliding along the lifter tray and the trapwork lever. Replacing with a thinner dowel, pinned at each end will have it functioning better.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 11:41
From: James Kelly
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

I completely rebuilt the pedal box on a Mason & Hamlin 1920's Grand and eliminated all of the noise and sloppy side play. The Una Chorda and Sostenuto work fine and I put new leather on all of the places in the trap work levers where the old pieces had crumbled or had been greased. The sustain trap works however has developed groans and creaks which I have traced to the tension spring on the main lever that supports the Pitman. I removed all of the pieces so I can glue some materials between the parts to prevent wood to wood contact and metal to wood. Here is what I plan to use - some felt on top of the brackets used to hold the lever- this would stop wood to wood noise; buckskin under the tension spring glued onto the lever, thin nylon washers or teflon washers between the lever and mounting brackets. There is very little space between the bracket and lever when the trapwork pin is inserted. Whatever material that is there is loaded with grease and pretty dried out. At this stage I think this will resolve the creaking/groaning and I am fairly certain the pitman dowel and bushing in the keybed is fine. So.... I am looking for suggestions on what would be better choices . This piano is used in an exhibit area of the famous Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC and is being used for concerts, recitals, events. I have been tasked with its upkeep and improvement and it has come a long way from the days it was in storage and was barely playable. In 2022 I am hoping to proceed with rebuilding the top action but my immediate need is to get the annoying pedal groan out. The piano has historic historical significance since it was owned by Anna Hyatt Huntington who founded the Gardens and was a world renowned Sculptor.

I can take and post pictures to help visualize the current condition of the parts. Teflon /nylon may or may not be the best choice for isolating the lever and the bracket sides just as buckskin may wear down too quickly. That said what would you use ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Isolate the noise. Sometimes it is produced by a glue line in the pedal rod guide rail bushing (the most difficult to track down).

On some, it's the pedal cup; place a leather punching for the end of the rod to ride upon to eliminate the creaking noise. Especially true for many modern pianos.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 19:54
From: James Kelly
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

It is standard trapwork with wooden trap levers that have wooden brackets. I had replaced all of the old leather contact points with new leather. I should have taken the time to do the lever where the noise is coming from but at the time it was not making noises. I do not think the pitman dowel and the bushing are causing issues but then again trying to locate the sources of noise/groans/creaking can be difficult. If the problem is not solved by placing leather or buckskin where the tension spring sits on the lever I will put pins on the pitman as suggested.  BTW I am not sure what the M&H cast iron maiden conflagration although I had worked on a BB that had a large action shift lever that was very hard to position and was contacting the pedal rods or some other things ( I forget)

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 19:14
From: Jon Page
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Is this a standard trapwork or the M&H cast iron maiden conflagration?

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 13:11
From: Martin Snow
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Ya know I love almost everything about M&H grands esp. from this period EXCEPT the convoluted trapwork .
www.snowpianos.com

------------------------------
Martin Snow
South Burlington VT
617-543-1030

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 12:50
From: Jon Page
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Is the pitman held firmly in a felt-bushed hole? If so, then perhaps the noise you hear is the ends of the pitman sliding along the lifter tray and the trapwork lever. Replacing with a thinner dowel, pinned at each end will have it functioning better.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 11:41
From: James Kelly
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

I completely rebuilt the pedal box on a Mason & Hamlin 1920's Grand and eliminated all of the noise and sloppy side play. The Una Chorda and Sostenuto work fine and I put new leather on all of the places in the trap work levers where the old pieces had crumbled or had been greased. The sustain trap works however has developed groans and creaks which I have traced to the tension spring on the main lever that supports the Pitman. I removed all of the pieces so I can glue some materials between the parts to prevent wood to wood contact and metal to wood. Here is what I plan to use - some felt on top of the brackets used to hold the lever- this would stop wood to wood noise; buckskin under the tension spring glued onto the lever, thin nylon washers or teflon washers between the lever and mounting brackets. There is very little space between the bracket and lever when the trapwork pin is inserted. Whatever material that is there is loaded with grease and pretty dried out. At this stage I think this will resolve the creaking/groaning and I am fairly certain the pitman dowel and bushing in the keybed is fine. So.... I am looking for suggestions on what would be better choices . This piano is used in an exhibit area of the famous Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC and is being used for concerts, recitals, events. I have been tasked with its upkeep and improvement and it has come a long way from the days it was in storage and was barely playable. In 2022 I am hoping to proceed with rebuilding the top action but my immediate need is to get the annoying pedal groan out. The piano has historic historical significance since it was owned by Anna Hyatt Huntington who founded the Gardens and was a world renowned Sculptor.

I can take and post pictures to help visualize the current condition of the parts. Teflon /nylon may or may not be the best choice for isolating the lever and the bracket sides just as buckskin may wear down too quickly. That said what would you use ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 3/12/2022 7:54:00 PM
From: James Kelly
Subject: RE: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

It is standard trapwork with wooden trap levers that have wooden brackets. I had replaced all of the old leather contact points with new leather. I should have taken the time to do the lever where the noise is coming from but at the time it was not making noises. I do not think the pitman dowel and the bushing are causing issues but then again trying to locate the sources of noise/groans/creaking can be difficult. If the problem is not solved by placing leather or buckskin where the tension spring sits on the lever I will put pins on the pitman as suggested.  BTW I am not sure what the M&H cast iron maiden conflagration although I had worked on a BB that had a large action shift lever that was very hard to position and was contacting the pedal rods or some other things ( I forget)

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 19:14
From: Jon Page
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Is this a standard trapwork or the M&H cast iron maiden conflagration?

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 13:11
From: Martin Snow
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Ya know I love almost everything about M&H grands esp. from this period EXCEPT the convoluted trapwork .
www.snowpianos.com

------------------------------
Martin Snow
South Burlington VT
617-543-1030

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 12:50
From: Jon Page
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Is the pitman held firmly in a felt-bushed hole? If so, then perhaps the noise you hear is the ends of the pitman sliding along the lifter tray and the trapwork lever. Replacing with a thinner dowel, pinned at each end will have it functioning better.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 11:41
From: James Kelly
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

I completely rebuilt the pedal box on a Mason & Hamlin 1920's Grand and eliminated all of the noise and sloppy side play. The Una Chorda and Sostenuto work fine and I put new leather on all of the places in the trap work levers where the old pieces had crumbled or had been greased. The sustain trap works however has developed groans and creaks which I have traced to the tension spring on the main lever that supports the Pitman. I removed all of the pieces so I can glue some materials between the parts to prevent wood to wood contact and metal to wood. Here is what I plan to use - some felt on top of the brackets used to hold the lever- this would stop wood to wood noise; buckskin under the tension spring glued onto the lever, thin nylon washers or teflon washers between the lever and mounting brackets. There is very little space between the bracket and lever when the trapwork pin is inserted. Whatever material that is there is loaded with grease and pretty dried out. At this stage I think this will resolve the creaking/groaning and I am fairly certain the pitman dowel and bushing in the keybed is fine. So.... I am looking for suggestions on what would be better choices . This piano is used in an exhibit area of the famous Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC and is being used for concerts, recitals, events. I have been tasked with its upkeep and improvement and it has come a long way from the days it was in storage and was barely playable. In 2022 I am hoping to proceed with rebuilding the top action but my immediate need is to get the annoying pedal groan out. The piano has historic historical significance since it was owned by Anna Hyatt Huntington who founded the Gardens and was a world renowned Sculptor.

I can take and post pictures to help visualize the current condition of the parts. Teflon /nylon may or may not be the best choice for isolating the lever and the bracket sides just as buckskin may wear down too quickly. That said what would you use ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

I will check that but I think it is fine. Not a bad item to put on a checklist of things to check

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-13-2022 15:40
From: Gary Ford
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

How is the plating on pedal rods.? I had groaning on  a Steinway.  Covered all the bases mentioned. Swapped out the damper pedal rod with a nice new one, no more groans.  A little corrosion where it goes through the guide hole bushings seemed to be my problem.

Gary Ford

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

Original Message:
Sent: 3/12/2022 7:54:00 PM
From: James Kelly
Subject: RE: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

It is standard trapwork with wooden trap levers that have wooden brackets. I had replaced all of the old leather contact points with new leather. I should have taken the time to do the lever where the noise is coming from but at the time it was not making noises. I do not think the pitman dowel and the bushing are causing issues but then again trying to locate the sources of noise/groans/creaking can be difficult. If the problem is not solved by placing leather or buckskin where the tension spring sits on the lever I will put pins on the pitman as suggested.  BTW I am not sure what the M&H cast iron maiden conflagration although I had worked on a BB that had a large action shift lever that was very hard to position and was contacting the pedal rods or some other things ( I forget)

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 19:14
From: Jon Page
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Is this a standard trapwork or the M&H cast iron maiden conflagration?

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 13:11
From: Martin Snow
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Ya know I love almost everything about M&H grands esp. from this period EXCEPT the convoluted trapwork .
www.snowpianos.com

------------------------------
Martin Snow
South Burlington VT
617-543-1030

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 12:50
From: Jon Page
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Is the pitman held firmly in a felt-bushed hole? If so, then perhaps the noise you hear is the ends of the pitman sliding along the lifter tray and the trapwork lever. Replacing with a thinner dowel, pinned at each end will have it functioning better.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 11:41
From: James Kelly
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

I completely rebuilt the pedal box on a Mason & Hamlin 1920's Grand and eliminated all of the noise and sloppy side play. The Una Chorda and Sostenuto work fine and I put new leather on all of the places in the trap work levers where the old pieces had crumbled or had been greased. The sustain trap works however has developed groans and creaks which I have traced to the tension spring on the main lever that supports the Pitman. I removed all of the pieces so I can glue some materials between the parts to prevent wood to wood contact and metal to wood. Here is what I plan to use - some felt on top of the brackets used to hold the lever- this would stop wood to wood noise; buckskin under the tension spring glued onto the lever, thin nylon washers or teflon washers between the lever and mounting brackets. There is very little space between the bracket and lever when the trapwork pin is inserted. Whatever material that is there is loaded with grease and pretty dried out. At this stage I think this will resolve the creaking/groaning and I am fairly certain the pitman dowel and bushing in the keybed is fine. So.... I am looking for suggestions on what would be better choices . This piano is used in an exhibit area of the famous Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC and is being used for concerts, recitals, events. I have been tasked with its upkeep and improvement and it has come a long way from the days it was in storage and was barely playable. In 2022 I am hoping to proceed with rebuilding the top action but my immediate need is to get the annoying pedal groan out. The piano has historic historical significance since it was owned by Anna Hyatt Huntington who founded the Gardens and was a world renowned Sculptor.

I can take and post pictures to help visualize the current condition of the parts. Teflon /nylon may or may not be the best choice for isolating the lever and the bracket sides just as buckskin may wear down too quickly. That said what would you use ?

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Jon ... the Pitman sits on the trapwork lever atop a piece of new buckskin I put in. I am thinking I should at least put a pin into the bottom and maybe the top of the pitman or use a Forstner bit to create a mortise in the lever or use a woodscrew through the lever into the capstan. The Pitman just has a smooth top and bottom and I noticed that the contact surface on the buckskin is not even. I will take some pictures and post them so you can visualize what I mean. What would you recommend is the best fix. I also need to glue something where the compression spring contacts the lever. My choices are leather or busckskin.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 03-13-2022 16:03
From: James Kelly
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

I will check that but I think it is fine. Not a bad item to put on a checklist of things to check

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 03-13-2022 15:40
From: Gary Ford
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

How is the plating on pedal rods.? I had groaning on  a Steinway.  Covered all the bases mentioned. Swapped out the damper pedal rod with a nice new one, no more groans.  A little corrosion where it goes through the guide hole bushings seemed to be my problem.

Gary Ford

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

Original Message:
Sent: 3/12/2022 7:54:00 PM
From: James Kelly
Subject: RE: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

It is standard trapwork with wooden trap levers that have wooden brackets. I had replaced all of the old leather contact points with new leather. I should have taken the time to do the lever where the noise is coming from but at the time it was not making noises. I do not think the pitman dowel and the bushing are causing issues but then again trying to locate the sources of noise/groans/creaking can be difficult. If the problem is not solved by placing leather or buckskin where the tension spring sits on the lever I will put pins on the pitman as suggested.  BTW I am not sure what the M&H cast iron maiden conflagration although I had worked on a BB that had a large action shift lever that was very hard to position and was contacting the pedal rods or some other things ( I forget)

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 19:14
From: Jon Page
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Is this a standard trapwork or the M&H cast iron maiden conflagration?

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 13:11
From: Martin Snow
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Ya know I love almost everything about M&H grands esp. from this period EXCEPT the convoluted trapwork .
www.snowpianos.com

------------------------------
Martin Snow
South Burlington VT
617-543-1030

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 12:50
From: Jon Page
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

Is the pitman held firmly in a felt-bushed hole? If so, then perhaps the noise you hear is the ends of the pitman sliding along the lifter tray and the trapwork lever. Replacing with a thinner dowel, pinned at each end will have it functioning better.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com

Original Message:
Sent: 03-12-2022 11:41
From: James Kelly
Subject: Mason & Hamlin Trapworks

I completely rebuilt the pedal box on a Mason & Hamlin 1920's Grand and eliminated all of the noise and sloppy side play. The Una Chorda and Sostenuto work fine and I put new leather on all of the places in the trap work levers where the old pieces had crumbled or had been greased. The sustain trap works however has developed groans and creaks which I have traced to the tension spring on the main lever that supports the Pitman. I removed all of the pieces so I can glue some materials between the parts to prevent wood to wood contact and metal to wood. Here is what I plan to use - some felt on top of the brackets used to hold the lever- this would stop wood to wood noise; buckskin under the tension spring glued onto the lever, thin nylon washers or teflon washers between the lever and mounting brackets. There is very little space between the bracket and lever when the trapwork pin is inserted. Whatever material that is there is loaded with grease and pretty dried out. At this stage I think this will resolve the creaking/groaning and I am fairly certain the pitman dowel and bushing in the keybed is fine. So.... I am looking for suggestions on what would be better choices . This piano is used in an exhibit area of the famous Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC and is being used for concerts, recitals, events. I have been tasked with its upkeep and improvement and it has come a long way from the days it was in storage and was barely playable. In 2022 I am hoping to proceed with rebuilding the top action but my immediate need is to get the annoying pedal groan out. The piano has historic historical significance since it was owned by Anna Hyatt Huntington who founded the Gardens and was a world renowned Sculptor.

I can take and post pictures to help visualize the current condition of the parts. Teflon /nylon may or may not be the best choice for isolating the lever and the bracket sides just as buckskin may wear down too quickly. That said what would you use ?

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James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
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