Pianotech

  • 1.  Repair strap on whippen

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-02-2013 21:27
    Does anyone have any idea as to how I can repair this strap? I can not seem to find any replacement whippens/part for this.
    Any help would be appreciated. I've attached two pictures, the first one is how it looks when working, the second is the one I need to fix. 
    Thanks
     

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    Michael Jurewicz
    Pompton Plains NJ
    973-800-9066
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  • 2.  RE:Repair strap on whippen

    Posted 01-02-2013 21:38
    It just looks like a loop of cord, just like in some Bell upright pianos.
    On the smaller picture it looked like an action strap, but when enlarged, I could see a double cord.
    Just drill out the old one, use a loop of cord and a wooden plug. Pull the loop to the same length as an original and glue.
    Fishing line should match the size of old cord.

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    John M. Ross
    Ross Piano Service
    Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
    jrpiano@bellaliant.net


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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE:Repair strap on whippen

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-02-2013 22:05
    Michael

    A typical Aeolian wippen with the cloth cord. You need to replace the chord. Remove the wippen. Using a 1/16" drill, remove the "plug" that held the old cloth. Take a piece of new cloth, fishing line works great for this, double it up, and bring it up through the hole from the bottom of the wippen all the way until the lopped end sticks through the slot in the balancier. Attach the spring, and pull the cloth tight so that the spring is about even with the top of the balancier. Now stick a toothpick in the hole through which you put the string, and jam it in there. For additional security, you can add a drop of glue. With the toothpick secured, cut off the rest of the toothpick and the cloth flush with the bottom of the wippen. (If a small amount of toothpick sticks up through the top of the bottom wippen arm, you can leave it alone, or carefully cut it off. Just make sure you don't cut the cloth. Put the wippen back on the rail, and regulate it, especially the repetition kick.

    Warming. Now that one cloth has broken, be ready to replace more in the coming year.

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


  • 4.  RE:Repair strap on whippen

    Posted 01-03-2013 00:46
    Michael, all,

    It just so happens I did a video of this very activity back in 2010. It is called:

    Grand Wippen Jack Spring Cord Repair

    I shall also post the same information in the PTG Pianotech Library as well, under the same name.

    Keith McGavern, RPT
    Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA
    tune-repair@allegiance.tv

    Original Message


  • 5.  RE:Repair strap on whippen

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 01-03-2013 11:25
    Dear Folks,

        Pianotek has the 'proper' replacement cord for the whippen-spring. Pg. 33 in Action Hardware; Silk Action Cloth in green or white. Also the right cord for flange repair (hammer-spring/Schwander). If the cord will last another 70 years...why not? 

        Wim's repair is appropriate, but I would add that the old 'plug' holding the original cord in place will often just push right out, and can be re-used with the new cord. I have a tiny Phillips screwdriver that works well at just pushing the old cord and plug, from the top and down, to clear the opening for a new cord; a clipped centerpin also works in the field. When I do have to replace the 'plug', I also use fat-round toothpicks, as Wim, but I clip the pointy end off BEFORE inserting it into the space, and then I don't have to worry about it later. You'll quickly learn just what part of the 'barrel' of the toothpick you need. I rarely find a need to add a dab of glue, and try hard not to....as I'd like the next technician to be able to just push that plug out, too! 

        So, try pushing the old plug out, before drilling it out; run the cord (doubled over) through the opening, loop the end over the spring and spring level can be easily adjusted and held as you push the plug or toothpick back in to hold it where you want it. I use a razor-blade or Xacto-blade to trim the excess cord and plug from the bottom. Not a difficult process, once you've done it a few hundred times!

        I'm curious how some of our rebuilder brethren would suggest this be done, and with what cord or string.

        My thanks to Keith and Wim for their input!

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    Jeffrey Hickey, RPT
    North Bend OR
    tunerjeff@aol.com
    Portland Chapter #972
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    Original Message


  • 6.  Repair strap on whippen

    Posted 01-03-2013 12:05
    On 1/3/2013 10:25 AM, Jeffrey Hickey wrote: > > I'm curious how some of our rebuilder brethren would suggest this be > done, and with what cord or string. This non-brethren says buy the real material from a supply house, use glue on your toothpick if you choose, throw away the razor blades, and learn to sharpen a knife. It's not difficult once you've done it even a few times and provides a considerably more useful edge for almost everything. Ron N