Pianotech

  • 1.  How do I Swell Hammer Centers?

    Posted 01-04-2021 13:25
    I have some loose center bushings and was wondering: would I just drop a mixture of sizing solution onto the centers and then heat for a while with blow dryer?

    Obviously if that doesn't work I'd repin with larger pins with next.

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    Cobrun Sells
    cobrun94@yahoo.com
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  • 2.  RE: How do I Swell Hammer Centers?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-04-2021 13:40
    If your centers are already loose you need to rejoin. No sizing solution. 

    Pwg

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


  • 3.  RE: How do I Swell Hammer Centers?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-04-2021 13:58
    A solution to swell the bushigns will dry out, and they will revert back to their original size. It might sound like an easy way out, but in the long run, it's not. Just repin and get it over with.

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


  • 4.  RE: How do I Swell Hammer Centers?

    Posted 01-05-2021 05:38
    Is the pin loose in the felt bushing, or in the wooden birdseye? If it is the wood, then resin with larger pin. However, if it is loose in the felt bushing, and this is not a performance piano (is it?), then why not sizing solution - like the stuff Pianotek sells for key bushings? If haven't tried it, but why not?

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    Terry Farrell
    Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
    Brandon, Florida
    terry@farrellpiano.com
    813-684-3505
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: How do I Swell Hammer Centers?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-05-2021 08:00
    In either case he needs to get to the root of the problem. Sizing only "works" on tight pinning, not loose pinning. AFAIK.

    Pwg

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


  • 6.  RE: How do I Swell Hammer Centers?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-05-2021 08:18
    Hi Cobrun.  Simply put ........  repin.  I know the concept of spraying an aerosol over the piano to fix it all and tune it is a fun little fantasy put it doesn't exist in the real world.  Fix it ..... and fix it right.  REPIN

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


  • 7.  RE: How do I Swell Hammer Centers?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-05-2021 12:00
    Don't waste your time.  Repin is the only solution and it doesn't take that long even to repin the entire rail.

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    David Love RPT
    www.davidlovepianos.com
    davidlovepianos@comcast.net
    415 407 8320
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: How do I Swell Hammer Centers?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-05-2021 13:13
    Larry, I like this idea of an aerosol where do you get it? I've been really happy with the self-installing hammers and dampers but this aerosol sounds even better! 
    What's it called, WD-440?

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    Steven Rosenthal
    Honolulu HI
    808-521-7129
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: How do I Swell Hammer Centers?

    Posted 01-05-2021 14:54
    A concert technician who will not be named here, told me that in desperation before a concert he removed every other hammer and applied spit to the ends of the exposed action centers. He said it was enough to tighten the wildly flying dried out action centers for a few hours.
    I have not tested the technique.

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    Ed Sutton
    ed440@me.com
    (980) 254-7413
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    Original Message