Pianotech

I encountered a drop action Wurlitzer spinet today built in DeKalb ILL with a capstan design I have never seen. Many of the hammers in the bass are not resting on the hammer rest rail and no or very little lost motion in the keys. As a result many of the hammers are blocking. I removed the first four keys and cranked down the capstans several turns and the hammers now sit on the rail and do not block. Instead of most of the capstan screw have visible thread it is a square thin post that goes from the head of the capstan to the key top. I did not have my capstan tools /wrenches with me but wondered if they would even fit. Does anyone know if there is a tool so the adjustment can be made in the piano without removing each key ? Someone had made adjustments in the piano before me since one of the screws that holds the connector assembly in place was left lying on the keyframe. i have some pictures I can post so one can visualize what I am talking about.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Hi James,

I think I've seen what you're describing, but it would help if you could upload the pictures, thanks.

I use the capstan wrench from Schaff, part number R-23​, though you may need to find the "mini" version if the capstan screw if it's too small for the standard size. Schaff's Square Capstan Wrench (part number 84A) is so far the only thing I've found that will fit on those ones. It is a pain to use, though.  

Best of luck,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
Piano Technician / Artisan
(805) 315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2019 13:26
From: James Kelly
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

I encountered a drop action Wurlitzer spinet today built in DeKalb ILL with a capstan design I have never seen. Many of the hammers in the bass are not resting on the hammer rest rail and no or very little lost motion in the keys. As a result many of the hammers are blocking. I removed the first four keys and cranked down the capstans several turns and the hammers now sit on the rail and do not block. Instead of most of the capstan screw have visible thread it is a square thin post that goes from the head of the capstan to the key top. I did not have my capstan tools /wrenches with me but wondered if they would even fit. Does anyone know if there is a tool so the adjustment can be made in the piano without removing each key ? Someone had made adjustments in the piano before me since one of the screws that holds the connector assembly in place was left lying on the keyframe. i have some pictures I can post so one can visualize what I am talking about.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Schaff has capstan wrenches that are (at least) supposed to fit that skinny capstan. Buy them all (!!), and bring an appropriately sized file in case you need to widen the mouth. I usually remove the key to use the wrench.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2019 13:26
From: James Kelly
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

I encountered a drop action Wurlitzer spinet today built in DeKalb ILL with a capstan design I have never seen. Many of the hammers in the bass are not resting on the hammer rest rail and no or very little lost motion in the keys. As a result many of the hammers are blocking. I removed the first four keys and cranked down the capstans several turns and the hammers now sit on the rail and do not block. Instead of most of the capstan screw have visible thread it is a square thin post that goes from the head of the capstan to the key top. I did not have my capstan tools /wrenches with me but wondered if they would even fit. Does anyone know if there is a tool so the adjustment can be made in the piano without removing each key ? Someone had made adjustments in the piano before me since one of the screws that holds the connector assembly in place was left lying on the keyframe. i have some pictures I can post so one can visualize what I am talking about.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

James, it sounds like someone lowered the assembly to adjust the lost motion all at once but the bass section didn't need it.
I've found that you can adjust the capstans with the proper wrench in place but that it's quicker to take the keys out to "ballpark" them rather than trying to make several turns under that assembly where you can't see what you're doing. Less frustrating.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2019 14:21
From: Patrick Draine
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

Schaff has capstan wrenches that are (at least) supposed to fit that skinny capstan. Buy them all (!!), and bring an appropriately sized file in case you need to widen the mouth. I usually remove the key to use the wrench.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2019 13:26
From: James Kelly
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

I encountered a drop action Wurlitzer spinet today built in DeKalb ILL with a capstan design I have never seen. Many of the hammers in the bass are not resting on the hammer rest rail and no or very little lost motion in the keys. As a result many of the hammers are blocking. I removed the first four keys and cranked down the capstans several turns and the hammers now sit on the rail and do not block. Instead of most of the capstan screw have visible thread it is a square thin post that goes from the head of the capstan to the key top. I did not have my capstan tools /wrenches with me but wondered if they would even fit. Does anyone know if there is a tool so the adjustment can be made in the piano without removing each key ? Someone had made adjustments in the piano before me since one of the screws that holds the connector assembly in place was left lying on the keyframe. i have some pictures I can post so one can visualize what I am talking about.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

I use a pair of pliers to turn those buggers. Very time consuming.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2019 13:26
From: James Kelly
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

I encountered a drop action Wurlitzer spinet today built in DeKalb ILL with a capstan design I have never seen. Many of the hammers in the bass are not resting on the hammer rest rail and no or very little lost motion in the keys. As a result many of the hammers are blocking. I removed the first four keys and cranked down the capstans several turns and the hammers now sit on the rail and do not block. Instead of most of the capstan screw have visible thread it is a square thin post that goes from the head of the capstan to the key top. I did not have my capstan tools /wrenches with me but wondered if they would even fit. Does anyone know if there is a tool so the adjustment can be made in the piano without removing each key ? Someone had made adjustments in the piano before me since one of the screws that holds the connector assembly in place was left lying on the keyframe. i have some pictures I can post so one can visualize what I am talking about.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

If you put the screw back in the connector it might help.

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2019 13:26
From: James Kelly
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

I encountered a drop action Wurlitzer spinet today built in DeKalb ILL with a capstan design I have never seen. Many of the hammers in the bass are not resting on the hammer rest rail and no or very little lost motion in the keys. As a result many of the hammers are blocking. I removed the first four keys and cranked down the capstans several turns and the hammers now sit on the rail and do not block. Instead of most of the capstan screw have visible thread it is a square thin post that goes from the head of the capstan to the key top. I did not have my capstan tools /wrenches with me but wondered if they would even fit. Does anyone know if there is a tool so the adjustment can be made in the piano without removing each key ? Someone had made adjustments in the piano before me since one of the screws that holds the connector assembly in place was left lying on the keyframe. i have some pictures I can post so one can visualize what I am talking about.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Too many possibilities!
Post the photos.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2019 13:26
From: James Kelly
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

I encountered a drop action Wurlitzer spinet today built in DeKalb ILL with a capstan design I have never seen. Many of the hammers in the bass are not resting on the hammer rest rail and no or very little lost motion in the keys. As a result many of the hammers are blocking. I removed the first four keys and cranked down the capstans several turns and the hammers now sit on the rail and do not block. Instead of most of the capstan screw have visible thread it is a square thin post that goes from the head of the capstan to the key top. I did not have my capstan tools /wrenches with me but wondered if they would even fit. Does anyone know if there is a tool so the adjustment can be made in the piano without removing each key ? Someone had made adjustments in the piano before me since one of the screws that holds the connector assembly in place was left lying on the keyframe. i have some pictures I can post so one can visualize what I am talking about.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

attached is a picture of the wurlitzer capstan that has a skinny square post

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2019 20:09
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

Too many possibilities!
Post the photos.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2019 13:26
From: James Kelly
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

I encountered a drop action Wurlitzer spinet today built in DeKalb ILL with a capstan design I have never seen. Many of the hammers in the bass are not resting on the hammer rest rail and no or very little lost motion in the keys. As a result many of the hammers are blocking. I removed the first four keys and cranked down the capstans several turns and the hammers now sit on the rail and do not block. Instead of most of the capstan screw have visible thread it is a square thin post that goes from the head of the capstan to the key top. I did not have my capstan tools /wrenches with me but wondered if they would even fit. Does anyone know if there is a tool so the adjustment can be made in the piano without removing each key ? Someone had made adjustments in the piano before me since one of the screws that holds the connector assembly in place was left lying on the keyframe. i have some pictures I can post so one can visualize what I am talking about.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

My request for pictures was a request for larger views of the action. Someone may have had experience with it.
When several similar things go wrong in one area, the first step is to look for a wholesale or neigborhood problem before making individual adjustments.
What kind of spinet action has capstans on the keys? Not the typical late Wurlitzer spinet.
I would first look for warping, split or loose action rails, hammer rest rail, keyrail, etc.
For turning small capstans like these I have never gotten easy use of the capstan wrench. I found it faster to remove the key and turn the capstan with pliers or by fingers if it's loose enough.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2019 22:27
From: James Kelly
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

attached is a picture of the wurlitzer capstan that has a skinny square post

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2019 20:09
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

Too many possibilities!
Post the photos.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2019 13:26
From: James Kelly
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

I encountered a drop action Wurlitzer spinet today built in DeKalb ILL with a capstan design I have never seen. Many of the hammers in the bass are not resting on the hammer rest rail and no or very little lost motion in the keys. As a result many of the hammers are blocking. I removed the first four keys and cranked down the capstans several turns and the hammers now sit on the rail and do not block. Instead of most of the capstan screw have visible thread it is a square thin post that goes from the head of the capstan to the key top. I did not have my capstan tools /wrenches with me but wondered if they would even fit. Does anyone know if there is a tool so the adjustment can be made in the piano without removing each key ? Someone had made adjustments in the piano before me since one of the screws that holds the connector assembly in place was left lying on the keyframe. i have some pictures I can post so one can visualize what I am talking about.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Hi James,

If the hammers aren't resting on the rail, check the blow distance.  There's a chance the hammer rest rail arms are out of alignment  ....  or weren't adjusted from the day it left the factory.  Adjusting them is a matter of bending them.  Good luck with that on that model.  Reefing the rail into compliance comes to mind but you do so at your own risk.

Check key travel.  The balance between hammer blow distance and key travel has to be established to avoid blocking  ......  along with let off.

Capstans

Adjusting those annoying little stinkers is a lesson in not cursing out loud.  I remove each key, adjust the capstan with any number of appropriate wrenches, some of which have been mentioned, then reinstall the key and check for function.  It's a pain but after the first octave or two you'll get the knack of it.  I don't remember what wrench I used last but I keep the smallest crescent wrench made in my tech case just in case the pre-sized wrenches don't fit well enough.  Another tool to use would be a pliers.  I also keep the smallest vise grips made in my tech case.  Those last three wrenches cover metric, SAE, and all other standards known to man.

------------------------------
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: 11-02-2019 13:26
From: James Kelly
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

I encountered a drop action Wurlitzer spinet today built in DeKalb ILL with a capstan design I have never seen. Many of the hammers in the bass are not resting on the hammer rest rail and no or very little lost motion in the keys. As a result many of the hammers are blocking. I removed the first four keys and cranked down the capstans several turns and the hammers now sit on the rail and do not block. Instead of most of the capstan screw have visible thread it is a square thin post that goes from the head of the capstan to the key top. I did not have my capstan tools /wrenches with me but wondered if they would even fit. Does anyone know if there is a tool so the adjustment can be made in the piano without removing each key ? Someone had made adjustments in the piano before me since one of the screws that holds the connector assembly in place was left lying on the keyframe. i have some pictures I can post so one can visualize what I am talking about.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

James K. wrote:  "Many of the hammers in the bass are not resting on the hammer rest rail and no or very little lost motion in the keys. As a result many of the hammers are blocking."

Perhaps I'm not understanding something here, but this seems unlikely to me. If the hammers are not resting on the rest rail, does that not mean that by definition, there is zero lost motion? And if the hammers are not resting on the rest rail, that would also mean that there would be relatively excess key travel - and again by definition, that would mean that that let-off would occur sooner in the keystroke. Bottom line being that if the hammers are up off the rest rail at rest, unless let-off is set at some distance on the back side of the strings, you won't observe blocking. Stated another way, capstans adjusted up too high will not cause hammer blocking.

Or are you referring to hammer blocking NOT associated with late let-off, but rather close checking adjustment, and then the excess key travel causing the hammer checking the hammers to block against the strings (after too-early-in-the-keystroke has occurred)?

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

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2019 13:26
From: James Kelly
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

I encountered a drop action Wurlitzer spinet today built in DeKalb ILL with a capstan design I have never seen. Many of the hammers in the bass are not resting on the hammer rest rail and no or very little lost motion in the keys. As a result many of the hammers are blocking. I removed the first four keys and cranked down the capstans several turns and the hammers now sit on the rail and do not block. Instead of most of the capstan screw have visible thread it is a square thin post that goes from the head of the capstan to the key top. I did not have my capstan tools /wrenches with me but wondered if they would even fit. Does anyone know if there is a tool so the adjustment can be made in the piano without removing each key ? Someone had made adjustments in the piano before me since one of the screws that holds the connector assembly in place was left lying on the keyframe. i have some pictures I can post so one can visualize what I am talking about.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

My internet has been down since Sunday. In any event I went back and took at least two thirds of the keys out and turned the capstans down with pliers. The only capstan tool I had was too wide for the square posts. If I had more of a budget to work with I would have done more regulation but in the end the piano played and sounded good . The owner told me the history of the piano and the fact it had been purchased from a church for $200 when she was seven. That explained why it had a memorial plate on it. The case finish was the naugauhyde material that was put on some models and it covered the sides, lid, front panel. The piano had been moved over 20 times and it survived a fire in which the entire home was burned to the ground. The cause ? a defective room humidifier that was a model recalled by the manufacturer which had to rebuild her home. She cant explain why the piano survived when everything was lost. Fortunately it was 8 am and she and her 3 children escaped. There was no soot, charring, smell of fire or any signs of a fire, no case damage, bubbles on the wooden legs or fall board, string damage , water damage.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-03-2019 08:45
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

James K. wrote:  "Many of the hammers in the bass are not resting on the hammer rest rail and no or very little lost motion in the keys. As a result many of the hammers are blocking."

Perhaps I'm not understanding something here, but this seems unlikely to me. If the hammers are not resting on the rest rail, does that not mean that by definition, there is zero lost motion? And if the hammers are not resting on the rest rail, that would also mean that there would be relatively excess key travel - and again by definition, that would mean that that let-off would occur sooner in the keystroke. Bottom line being that if the hammers are up off the rest rail at rest, unless let-off is set at some distance on the back side of the strings, you won't observe blocking. Stated another way, capstans adjusted up too high will not cause hammer blocking.

Or are you referring to hammer blocking NOT associated with late let-off, but rather close checking adjustment, and then the excess key travel causing the hammer checking the hammers to block against the strings (after too-early-in-the-keystroke has occurred)?

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

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2019 13:26
From: James Kelly
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

I encountered a drop action Wurlitzer spinet today built in DeKalb ILL with a capstan design I have never seen. Many of the hammers in the bass are not resting on the hammer rest rail and no or very little lost motion in the keys. As a result many of the hammers are blocking. I removed the first four keys and cranked down the capstans several turns and the hammers now sit on the rail and do not block. Instead of most of the capstan screw have visible thread it is a square thin post that goes from the head of the capstan to the key top. I did not have my capstan tools /wrenches with me but wondered if they would even fit. Does anyone know if there is a tool so the adjustment can be made in the piano without removing each key ? Someone had made adjustments in the piano before me since one of the screws that holds the connector assembly in place was left lying on the keyframe. i have some pictures I can post so one can visualize what I am talking about.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Yep there is a wrench, but a good adjustable or small vice grips work just fine. Sometimes even the wrench doesn't work very well.


------------------------------
Jeffrey Gegner
Tipton IN
765-860-5900
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2019 13:26
From: James Kelly
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

I encountered a drop action Wurlitzer spinet today built in DeKalb ILL with a capstan design I have never seen. Many of the hammers in the bass are not resting on the hammer rest rail and no or very little lost motion in the keys. As a result many of the hammers are blocking. I removed the first four keys and cranked down the capstans several turns and the hammers now sit on the rail and do not block. Instead of most of the capstan screw have visible thread it is a square thin post that goes from the head of the capstan to the key top. I did not have my capstan tools /wrenches with me but wondered if they would even fit. Does anyone know if there is a tool so the adjustment can be made in the piano without removing each key ? Someone had made adjustments in the piano before me since one of the screws that holds the connector assembly in place was left lying on the keyframe. i have some pictures I can post so one can visualize what I am talking about.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

There's a mult notched tool with a pointed capstan end sold by Schaff.  It just dawned on me that THAT is the tool I've been using on those micro capstans.

------------------------------
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: 11-05-2019 13:12
From: Jeffrey Gegner
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

Yep there is a wrench, but a good adjustable or small vice grips work just fine. Sometimes even the wrench doesn't work very well.


------------------------------
Jeffrey Gegner
Tipton IN
765-860-5900

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2019 13:26
From: James Kelly
Subject: Wurlitzer Spinet Capstans

I encountered a drop action Wurlitzer spinet today built in DeKalb ILL with a capstan design I have never seen. Many of the hammers in the bass are not resting on the hammer rest rail and no or very little lost motion in the keys. As a result many of the hammers are blocking. I removed the first four keys and cranked down the capstans several turns and the hammers now sit on the rail and do not block. Instead of most of the capstan screw have visible thread it is a square thin post that goes from the head of the capstan to the key top. I did not have my capstan tools /wrenches with me but wondered if they would even fit. Does anyone know if there is a tool so the adjustment can be made in the piano without removing each key ? Someone had made adjustments in the piano before me since one of the screws that holds the connector assembly in place was left lying on the keyframe. i have some pictures I can post so one can visualize what I am talking about.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------