Pianotech

  • 1.  Hammer felt separated

    Posted 02-11-2020 11:37
    Looking for advise how to reglue felt separated from hammer head core . Thanks

    Alexander Brusilovsky


  • 2.  RE: Hammer felt separated

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-11-2020 12:43
    Squirt CA glue on the wood or felt that's exposed, kick it, and then clamp with a needle nose vice grips. It will set up in less than 5 minutes. 

    In general, I will do this on a piano with less than half a dozen hammers that have come loose. If there are more than that, I recommend a new set of hammers. 

    When there are only a few hammers that have become unglued, I also recommend gluing the rest of the hammers. With the action out the piano, set the action on one end, and put a bead of thin or medium CA glue at the very end of the felt where it's attached to the molding. Do this on both sides of the hammers. Also, do this outside or a well ventilated area. 

    A side benefit of this gluing is that it improves the tone of the piano. 

    I got this tip from Steve Rosenthal.

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    Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
    Mililani, HI 96789
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Hammer felt separated

    Posted 02-11-2020 15:57
    I encountered a couple of hammers last summer that had separated felts. I glued them with Dap RapidFuse, clamped them, and let them set for an hour or so while I tuned. Re-tuned the piano recently, and the hammers were fine. BTW I really like this glue. Ed Sutton mentioned it a while back. 

    https://www.dap.com/dap-products-ph/rapidfuse-all-purpose-adhesive/

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    David Bauguess
    Grand Junction CO
    970-257-1750
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Hammer felt separated

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-12-2020 06:56
    Hi Alex

    I highly recommend dry clamping before you apply glue, to see what you're working with. I've seen attempted repairs gone wrong for lack of the right clamping solution. 

    Good luck! 
    Elizabeth

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    Elizabeth Pearson
    Gaithersburg MD
    240-751-5900
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Hammer felt separated

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-12-2020 07:52
    David,

    Yes, I found this stuff (Rapidfuse) about a year ago, not realizing at the time that it was a CA formulation. As I started trying it on various things I figured out that it is basically a semi-thick CA that also responds to any accelerator I have. It's slow action (out of the bottle) can be very useful, and it is relatively inexpensive for the quantity (though it thickens up just like any other CA over time). At this point I need to buy a new bottle. 

    Yes, it would be good for this type of repair. 

    Pwg

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


  • 6.  RE: Hammer felt separated

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-12-2020 08:45
    PS:

    I agree with Nate that some attempts just won't work. In my sympathetic opinion it's best to just replace the hammers. While it may be initially a bit more expensive, it's usually less expensive in the long run as we can assume others will fail over time.
    I've also had many failed repair attempts come across my workbench, no fault counted to those attempting to save their clients money.  ðŸ’¸

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    Elizabeth Pearson
    Gaithersburg MD
    240-751-5900
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Hammer felt separated

    Posted 02-13-2020 07:59
    Thanks for advice

    Alexander Brusilovsky


    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Hammer felt separated

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-12-2020 07:45
    There's a method to clamp the hammer back on with an alligator clamp with a slot cut for the hammer shank. Another style uses thread wrap as a pulling clamp, similar to a hammer shank repair.

    Just got done with a piano with separated heads that would NOT respond to any method. I even made wood forms similar to the original hammer felt press. Sometimes they just need to be replaced.

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    http://www.facebook.com/ReyburnPianoTech
    http://www.reyburntools.com
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    Original Message