Pianotech

I am gluing hammer head felt back onto the ____(blanking on what that's called). Chickering console, 70's. that green hammer felt. I have done this before (and on this piano--nothing has come unglued) and am confidant.

My question is whether anyone has ever tried running some thin CA along the glue line of those hammers that are still holding. I will probably try it regardless, but wonder if it's been done. It either makes them come unglued right away or it takes awhile to know if it helped or not. Could never know. Just curious.

Thanks.

------------------------------
Cindy Strehlow, RPT
Urbana, IL
------------------------------

Yes, I have, it helps keep the still glued side from giving way.
Someone, (Jon Page?) mentioned drilling a hole through the felt into the core and actually screwing the felt in with a tiny screw. I seem to recall something like that.

I used to take care of a Chickering grand with those hammers, big mess. Ended up replacing them.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2021 18:26
From: Lucinda Strehlow
Subject: loose hammer head felts

I am gluing hammer head felt back onto the ____(blanking on what that's called). Chickering console, 70's. that green hammer felt. I have done this before (and on this piano--nothing has come unglued) and am confidant.

My question is whether anyone has ever tried running some thin CA along the glue line of those hammers that are still holding. I will probably try it regardless, but wonder if it's been done. It either makes them come unglued right away or it takes awhile to know if it helped or not. Could never know. Just curious.

Thanks.

------------------------------
Cindy Strehlow, RPT
Urbana, IL
------------------------------

I have too and on return visits, never have seen a loose hammer felt again.
Also, I have sometimes drilled two holes through the felt, after glueing, and used 12 gauge wire in a "u" shape, stuck each end through the holes and twisted it tight. Maybe that was excessive but it looked good. I remember that I had to bend the twisted wires out of the way as to not interfere with the dampers (on uprights).
Another thing I do, is what Chuck Behm once published. After glowing, he reinforced the hammers with cord to keep the felt in place. It looks quite neat.
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2021 20:23
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: loose hammer head felts

Yes, I have, it helps keep the still glued side from giving way.
Someone, (Jon Page?) mentioned drilling a hole through the felt into the core and actually screwing the felt in with a tiny screw. I seem to recall something like that.

I used to take care of a Chickering grand with those hammers, big mess. Ended up replacing them.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2021 18:26
From: Lucinda Strehlow
Subject: loose hammer head felts

I am gluing hammer head felt back onto the ____(blanking on what that's called). Chickering console, 70's. that green hammer felt. I have done this before (and on this piano--nothing has come unglued) and am confidant.

My question is whether anyone has ever tried running some thin CA along the glue line of those hammers that are still holding. I will probably try it regardless, but wonder if it's been done. It either makes them come unglued right away or it takes awhile to know if it helped or not. Could never know. Just curious.

Thanks.

------------------------------
Cindy Strehlow, RPT
Urbana, IL
------------------------------

I have a pneumatic stapler with narrow staples that will secure the felt to the moldings. If you have a compressor, and the action is in the shop, these staplers aren't expensive. I have also used CA glue (Coleman's) to prevent more peeling.
Paul McCloud
San Diego



Petrus Janssen
I have too and on return visits, never have seen a loose hammer felt again.
Also, I have sometimes drilled two holes through the felt, after glueing, and used 12 gauge wire in a "u" shape, stuck each end through the holes and twisted it tight. Maybe that was excessive but it looked good. I remember that I had to bend the twisted wires out of the way as to not interfere with the dampers (on uprights).
Another thing I do, is what Chuck Behm once published. After glowing, he reinforced the hammers with cord to keep the felt in place. It looks quite neat.
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055



Original Message:
Sent: 4/27/2021 9:08:00 PM
From: Petrus Janssen
Subject: RE: loose hammer head felts

I have too and on return visits, never have seen a loose hammer felt again.
Also, I have sometimes drilled two holes through the felt, after glueing, and used 12 gauge wire in a "u" shape, stuck each end through the holes and twisted it tight. Maybe that was excessive but it looked good. I remember that I had to bend the twisted wires out of the way as to not interfere with the dampers (on uprights).
Another thing I do, is what Chuck Behm once published. After glowing, he reinforced the hammers with cord to keep the felt in place. It looks quite neat.
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2021 20:23
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: loose hammer head felts

Yes, I have, it helps keep the still glued side from giving way.
Someone, (Jon Page?) mentioned drilling a hole through the felt into the core and actually screwing the felt in with a tiny screw. I seem to recall something like that.

I used to take care of a Chickering grand with those hammers, big mess. Ended up replacing them.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2021 18:26
From: Lucinda Strehlow
Subject: loose hammer head felts

I am gluing hammer head felt back onto the ____(blanking on what that's called). Chickering console, 70's. that green hammer felt. I have done this before (and on this piano--nothing has come unglued) and am confidant.

My question is whether anyone has ever tried running some thin CA along the glue line of those hammers that are still holding. I will probably try it regardless, but wonder if it's been done. It either makes them come unglued right away or it takes awhile to know if it helped or not. Could never know. Just curious.

Thanks.

------------------------------
Cindy Strehlow, RPT
Urbana, IL
------------------------------

If you're going to apply glue, you can get an assist from gravity by tipping the action on end so you can get good access to the sides of the hammers. Really helps with the underside of the angled hammers.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2021 23:33
From: Paul McCloud
Subject: loose hammer head felts

I have a pneumatic stapler with narrow staples that will secure the felt to the moldings. If you have a compressor, and the action is in the shop, these staplers aren't expensive. I have also used CA glue (Coleman's) to prevent more peeling.
Paul McCloud
San Diego



Petrus Janssen
I have too and on return visits, never have seen a loose hammer felt again.
Also, I have sometimes drilled two holes through the felt, after glueing, and used 12 gauge wire in a "u" shape, stuck each end through the holes and twisted it tight. Maybe that was excessive but it looked good. I remember that I had to bend the twisted wires out of the way as to not interfere with the dampers (on uprights).
Another thing I do, is what Chuck Behm once published. After glowing, he reinforced the hammers with cord to keep the felt in place. It looks quite neat.
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055



Original Message:
Sent: 4/27/2021 9:08:00 PM
From: Petrus Janssen
Subject: RE: loose hammer head felts

I have too and on return visits, never have seen a loose hammer felt again.
Also, I have sometimes drilled two holes through the felt, after glueing, and used 12 gauge wire in a "u" shape, stuck each end through the holes and twisted it tight. Maybe that was excessive but it looked good. I remember that I had to bend the twisted wires out of the way as to not interfere with the dampers (on uprights).
Another thing I do, is what Chuck Behm once published. After glowing, he reinforced the hammers with cord to keep the felt in place. It looks quite neat.
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2021 20:23
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: loose hammer head felts

Yes, I have, it helps keep the still glued side from giving way.
Someone, (Jon Page?) mentioned drilling a hole through the felt into the core and actually screwing the felt in with a tiny screw. I seem to recall something like that.

I used to take care of a Chickering grand with those hammers, big mess. Ended up replacing them.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2021 18:26
From: Lucinda Strehlow
Subject: loose hammer head felts

I am gluing hammer head felt back onto the ____(blanking on what that's called). Chickering console, 70's. that green hammer felt. I have done this before (and on this piano--nothing has come unglued) and am confidant.

My question is whether anyone has ever tried running some thin CA along the glue line of those hammers that are still holding. I will probably try it regardless, but wonder if it's been done. It either makes them come unglued right away or it takes awhile to know if it helped or not. Could never know. Just curious.

Thanks.

------------------------------
Cindy Strehlow, RPT
Urbana, IL
------------------------------

Hi all.  I've seen this subject come up numerous times with numerous fixes.  No one has ever mentioned using sewing thread wrapped around the hammer to hold it while the glue takes hold.  When you return to tune the piano next time you cut the thread off  ........  if you feel you need to.  Usually I never hear from these people again since actually maintaining a piano of that quality level doesn't usually include tunings at responsible intervals.

Lar

------------------------------
Larry Fisher
Owner, Chief Grunt, Head Hosehead
Vancouver WA
503-310-6965
Working the gravy zone for the rest of my days.
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-28-2021 03:22
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: loose hammer head felts

If you're going to apply glue, you can get an assist from gravity by tipping the action on end so you can get good access to the sides of the hammers. Really helps with the underside of the angled hammers.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2021 23:33
From: Paul McCloud
Subject: loose hammer head felts

I have a pneumatic stapler with narrow staples that will secure the felt to the moldings. If you have a compressor, and the action is in the shop, these staplers aren't expensive. I have also used CA glue (Coleman's) to prevent more peeling.
Paul McCloud
San Diego



Petrus Janssen
I have too and on return visits, never have seen a loose hammer felt again.
Also, I have sometimes drilled two holes through the felt, after glueing, and used 12 gauge wire in a "u" shape, stuck each end through the holes and twisted it tight. Maybe that was excessive but it looked good. I remember that I had to bend the twisted wires out of the way as to not interfere with the dampers (on uprights).
Another thing I do, is what Chuck Behm once published. After glowing, he reinforced the hammers with cord to keep the felt in place. It looks quite neat.
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055



Original Message:
Sent: 4/27/2021 9:08:00 PM
From: Petrus Janssen
Subject: RE: loose hammer head felts

I have too and on return visits, never have seen a loose hammer felt again.
Also, I have sometimes drilled two holes through the felt, after glueing, and used 12 gauge wire in a "u" shape, stuck each end through the holes and twisted it tight. Maybe that was excessive but it looked good. I remember that I had to bend the twisted wires out of the way as to not interfere with the dampers (on uprights).
Another thing I do, is what Chuck Behm once published. After glowing, he reinforced the hammers with cord to keep the felt in place. It looks quite neat.
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2021 20:23
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: loose hammer head felts

Yes, I have, it helps keep the still glued side from giving way.
Someone, (Jon Page?) mentioned drilling a hole through the felt into the core and actually screwing the felt in with a tiny screw. I seem to recall something like that.

I used to take care of a Chickering grand with those hammers, big mess. Ended up replacing them.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2021 18:26
From: Lucinda Strehlow
Subject: loose hammer head felts

I am gluing hammer head felt back onto the ____(blanking on what that's called). Chickering console, 70's. that green hammer felt. I have done this before (and on this piano--nothing has come unglued) and am confidant.

My question is whether anyone has ever tried running some thin CA along the glue line of those hammers that are still holding. I will probably try it regardless, but wonder if it's been done. It either makes them come unglued right away or it takes awhile to know if it helped or not. Could never know. Just curious.

Thanks.

------------------------------
Cindy Strehlow, RPT
Urbana, IL
------------------------------

IC-2000 is a rubber toughened CA made by Bob Smith Industries.  It is designed for shock resistance on porous surfaces. It is UNBELIEVABLY STRONG and has saved my butt countless times. I have used it for this specific repair with success. However it is black so it can be ugly under obvious circumstances.  Long open time allows me to get where I want it, and if I need it to cure quickly (like in this instance) a shot of accelerator does the trick in seconds (just don't have your finger attached to it very much DAMHIK).

This is my go-to for this repair. No one sees it except me.  And you will find numerous other applications fir this stuff once you are used to it.  Same chemical family as their blue label thin Insta-set allowing mixing for various viscosities, expanding its usefulness. Nice feature.

(Don't mix it with Insta-flex...different chemical family).

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 04-28-2021 08:29
From: Larry Fisher
Subject: loose hammer head felts

Hi all.  I've seen this subject come up numerous times with numerous fixes.  No one has ever mentioned using sewing thread wrapped around the hammer to hold it while the glue takes hold.  When you return to tune the piano next time you cut the thread off  ........  if you feel you need to.  Usually I never hear from these people again since actually maintaining a piano of that quality level doesn't usually include tunings at responsible intervals.

Lar

------------------------------
Larry Fisher
Owner, Chief Grunt, Head Hosehead
Vancouver WA
503-310-6965
Working the gravy zone for the rest of my days.

Original Message:
Sent: 04-28-2021 03:22
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: loose hammer head felts

If you're going to apply glue, you can get an assist from gravity by tipping the action on end so you can get good access to the sides of the hammers. Really helps with the underside of the angled hammers.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2021 23:33
From: Paul McCloud
Subject: loose hammer head felts

I have a pneumatic stapler with narrow staples that will secure the felt to the moldings. If you have a compressor, and the action is in the shop, these staplers aren't expensive. I have also used CA glue (Coleman's) to prevent more peeling.
Paul McCloud
San Diego



Petrus Janssen
I have too and on return visits, never have seen a loose hammer felt again.
Also, I have sometimes drilled two holes through the felt, after glueing, and used 12 gauge wire in a "u" shape, stuck each end through the holes and twisted it tight. Maybe that was excessive but it looked good. I remember that I had to bend the twisted wires out of the way as to not interfere with the dampers (on uprights).
Another thing I do, is what Chuck Behm once published. After glowing, he reinforced the hammers with cord to keep the felt in place. It looks quite neat.
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055



Original Message:
Sent: 4/27/2021 9:08:00 PM
From: Petrus Janssen
Subject: RE: loose hammer head felts

I have too and on return visits, never have seen a loose hammer felt again.
Also, I have sometimes drilled two holes through the felt, after glueing, and used 12 gauge wire in a "u" shape, stuck each end through the holes and twisted it tight. Maybe that was excessive but it looked good. I remember that I had to bend the twisted wires out of the way as to not interfere with the dampers (on uprights).
Another thing I do, is what Chuck Behm once published. After glowing, he reinforced the hammers with cord to keep the felt in place. It looks quite neat.
Peter

------------------------------
Petrus Janssen
Peachtree City GA
678-416-8055

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2021 20:23
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: loose hammer head felts

Yes, I have, it helps keep the still glued side from giving way.
Someone, (Jon Page?) mentioned drilling a hole through the felt into the core and actually screwing the felt in with a tiny screw. I seem to recall something like that.

I used to take care of a Chickering grand with those hammers, big mess. Ended up replacing them.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129

Original Message:
Sent: 04-27-2021 18:26
From: Lucinda Strehlow
Subject: loose hammer head felts

I am gluing hammer head felt back onto the ____(blanking on what that's called). Chickering console, 70's. that green hammer felt. I have done this before (and on this piano--nothing has come unglued) and am confidant.

My question is whether anyone has ever tried running some thin CA along the glue line of those hammers that are still holding. I will probably try it regardless, but wonder if it's been done. It either makes them come unglued right away or it takes awhile to know if it helped or not. Could never know. Just curious.

Thanks.

------------------------------
Cindy Strehlow, RPT
Urbana, IL
------------------------------