Pianotech

  • 1.  Old Howard grand wipe: broken spring

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-07-2021 20:18
      |   view attached
    My customer's 1907 Howard grand broke a wippen spring. Swapped out for now with C8, but I promised I'd investigate how to repair.
    Anyone know if these springs are available somewhere, would one of those universal Tokiwa wippens work in a piano of this age?
    Thanks!

    ------------------------------
    Scott Cole, RPT
    rvpianotuner.com
    Talent, OR
    (541-601-9033
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Old Howard grand wipe: broken spring

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-07-2021 21:14
    How about buying bg some spring wire and make your own? Check your supply house catalogs, and I think they're made by Mapes.

    ------------------------------
    Patrick Draine
    Billerica MA
    978-663-9690
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Old Howard grand wipe: broken spring

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-08-2021 01:08
    Easy to make from old guitar strings.  If you do much tuning for rock/pop concerts, you're bound to find some left on stage after gigs.  Usually #13 is too stiff.  A shop that repairs & restrings guitars, mandolins, etc. probably has enough to last the rest of your career. 
    --David N., RPT
    ​

    ------------------------------
    David Nereson
    Registered Piano Technician
    Denver CO
    303-355-5770
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Old Howard grand wipe: broken spring

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-08-2021 06:16
    Hi Scott,
    That's a double loop spring and I haven't yet found a source or substitute so I just wind my own with appropriate diameter piano wire and round nose pliers. Takes a little practice but gets easier the more you do it. Be sure to adjust the arms for reasonable tension before installing so there's less adjustment after it's assembled. 

    When I make a custom spring in the shop I'll usually make a few extra. After making some it doesn't bother me to duplicate one in the field now. 

    Stay well,

    AG

    Rep springs
    Tools
    Springs


    ------------------------------
    Allan Gilreath, RPT
    Registered Piano Technician & President
    Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
    Calhoun, GA
    706-602-7667
    allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Old Howard grand wipe: broken spring

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-08-2021 08:32
    It looks like an easy spring to duplicate, Scott. I have had to make my own springs at various times, most memorably for a 1900’s Bluethner upt. I bought a spring-making tool from one of the supply houses but I found that I needed to make my own jigs more often than not.

    Bob Anderson
    Tucson, AZ


    Original Message