Pianotech

Posting for a colleague- I have seen one of these in the distant past, an Acrosonic. The lifters are leaving the felt guides and coming off the ends of the keys. Any favorite fixes or retrofits for something like this?

Many thanks-

David

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com
------------------------------

I've never seen one like that, would like to know the vintage. I notice that the hammers have staples in them as well.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal RPT
Honolulu HI
(808) 521-7129
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 12:51
From: David Brown
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

Posting for a colleague- I have seen one of these in the distant past, an Acrosonic. The lifters are leaving the felt guides and coming off the ends of the keys. Any favorite fixes or retrofits for something like this?

Many thanks-

David

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com
------------------------------

I have seen one of these some time back. You may need to lubricate the rod and/or make sure they are connected properly. I have some old Baldwin service manuals I can check. I do not recall any problems with them except they where unusual i think they be from 1940s maybe postwar. Not sure if it was a Baldwin or Pratt Read action It looks to me that the lifters are too far back so perhaps there is a rail that needs to be moved forward so lifters are centered over the capstans Maybe the action brackert are not seated properly on the bolts going into the plate and bolts under each bracket

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 15:27
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

I've never seen one like that, would like to know the vintage. I notice that the hammers have staples in them as well.

------------------------------
Steven Rosenthal RPT
Honolulu HI
(808) 521-7129

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 12:51
From: David Brown
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

Posting for a colleague- I have seen one of these in the distant past, an Acrosonic. The lifters are leaving the felt guides and coming off the ends of the keys. Any favorite fixes or retrofits for something like this?

Many thanks-

David

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com
------------------------------

I suppose one could fabricate a replacement for the felt guides. I'm sure a hammer maker like Ronsen or Abel could point you to an appropriately firm felt from one of their suppliers (Bacon felt etc.). Seems rather labor intensive (your labor, $$$) and the rest the piano is probably at least 70 years old, and showing it. In other words, probably not worth it unless a high level of sentimental value is part of the equation.

------------------------------
Patrick Draine RPT
Billerica MA
(978) 663-9690
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 12:51
From: David Brown
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

Posting for a colleague- I have seen one of these in the distant past, an Acrosonic. The lifters are leaving the felt guides and coming off the ends of the keys. Any favorite fixes or retrofits for something like this?

Many thanks-

David

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com
------------------------------

I found two pictures from July of 2007. It looks like the capstan screws are more centered under the tabs sitting over them. I think something is not located where it should be- in other words not seated properly. I labelled the pictures as Aluminum Lifter Stickers. They could have been a quick way to get pianos back in the supply chain after WW2 when aluminum was used for piano plates. I believe that Baldwin made radio equipment, radar and electronic components during the war. I am sure I have something on my invoice that has more information maybe a sketch. I will try uploading the 2 pictures

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 18:17
From: Patrick Draine
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

I suppose one could fabricate a replacement for the felt guides. I'm sure a hammer maker like Ronsen or Abel could point you to an appropriately firm felt from one of their suppliers (Bacon felt etc.). Seems rather labor intensive (your labor, $$$) and the rest the piano is probably at least 70 years old, and showing it. In other words, probably not worth it unless a high level of sentimental value is part of the equation.

------------------------------
Patrick Draine RPT
Billerica MA
(978) 663-9690

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 12:51
From: David Brown
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

Posting for a colleague- I have seen one of these in the distant past, an Acrosonic. The lifters are leaving the felt guides and coming off the ends of the keys. Any favorite fixes or retrofits for something like this?

Many thanks-

David

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com
------------------------------

Baldwin Aluminum Sticker picture taken 7/17/2007 with Kodak Digital Camera

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 19:24
From: James Kelly
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

I found two pictures from July of 2007. It looks like the capstan screws are more centered under the tabs sitting over them. I think something is not located where it should be- in other words not seated properly. I labelled the pictures as Aluminum Lifter Stickers. They could have been a quick way to get pianos back in the supply chain after WW2 when aluminum was used for piano plates. I believe that Baldwin made radio equipment, radar and electronic components during the war. I am sure I have something on my invoice that has more information maybe a sketch. I will try uploading the 2 pictures

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 18:17
From: Patrick Draine
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

I suppose one could fabricate a replacement for the felt guides. I'm sure a hammer maker like Ronsen or Abel could point you to an appropriately firm felt from one of their suppliers (Bacon felt etc.). Seems rather labor intensive (your labor, $$$) and the rest the piano is probably at least 70 years old, and showing it. In other words, probably not worth it unless a high level of sentimental value is part of the equation.

------------------------------
Patrick Draine RPT
Billerica MA
(978) 663-9690

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 12:51
From: David Brown
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

Posting for a colleague- I have seen one of these in the distant past, an Acrosonic. The lifters are leaving the felt guides and coming off the ends of the keys. Any favorite fixes or retrofits for something like this?

Many thanks-

David

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com
------------------------------

I was just at a customer's who has one of those pianos, with the same problem. The some of the holes in the felt lifter rod guide felt have been wallowed out, and the tabs tens to shift away from the correct position and rub excessively against the felt and case noticeable resistance. The guide felt would have to be pretty dense; it's 1/8" thick, and 1/2" to 5/8" wide. One would need to find a felt cutting punch of some sort of 1/4", I believe. The original felt could be used for a guide for cutting the new holes

------------------------------
Robert Sluss
Lake City FL
(386) 752-1888
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 12:51
From: David Brown
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

Posting for a colleague- I have seen one of these in the distant past, an Acrosonic. The lifters are leaving the felt guides and coming off the ends of the keys. Any favorite fixes or retrofits for something like this?

Many thanks-

David

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com
------------------------------

Sounds like an easy repair taking your time and getting the holes lined up. You could make a story stick to get the spacing apart. I have a set of punches I think I got at Harbor Freight Tool. They work great punching holes in leather and felt Not sure if the tabs screw off/pop off or if the bottom of the lifter dowels snap out.
Nothing in my manual showed this setup- it just had the long wooden stickers with pins at the end going into a guide rail. Wear and tear/rubbing explains why they are not centered.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 21:38
From: Robert Sluss
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

I was just at a customer's who has one of those pianos, with the same problem. The some of the holes in the felt lifter rod guide felt have been wallowed out, and the tabs tens to shift away from the correct position and rub excessively against the felt and case noticeable resistance. The guide felt would have to be pretty dense; it's 1/8" thick, and 1/2" to 5/8" wide. One would need to find a felt cutting punch of some sort of 1/4", I believe. The original felt could be used for a guide for cutting the new holes

------------------------------
Robert Sluss
Lake City FL
(386) 752-1888

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 12:51
From: David Brown
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

Posting for a colleague- I have seen one of these in the distant past, an Acrosonic. The lifters are leaving the felt guides and coming off the ends of the keys. Any favorite fixes or retrofits for something like this?

Many thanks-

David

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com
------------------------------

Many thanks to all for the responses. Very helpful!

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 23:09
From: James Kelly
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

Sounds like an easy repair taking your time and getting the holes lined up. You could make a story stick to get the spacing apart. I have a set of punches I think I got at Harbor Freight Tool. They work great punching holes in leather and felt Not sure if the tabs screw off/pop off or if the bottom of the lifter dowels snap out.
Nothing in my manual showed this setup- it just had the long wooden stickers with pins at the end going into a guide rail. Wear and tear/rubbing explains why they are not centered.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 21:38
From: Robert Sluss
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

I was just at a customer's who has one of those pianos, with the same problem. The some of the holes in the felt lifter rod guide felt have been wallowed out, and the tabs tens to shift away from the correct position and rub excessively against the felt and case noticeable resistance. The guide felt would have to be pretty dense; it's 1/8" thick, and 1/2" to 5/8" wide. One would need to find a felt cutting punch of some sort of 1/4", I believe. The original felt could be used for a guide for cutting the new holes

------------------------------
Robert Sluss
Lake City FL
(386) 752-1888

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 12:51
From: David Brown
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

Posting for a colleague- I have seen one of these in the distant past, an Acrosonic. The lifters are leaving the felt guides and coming off the ends of the keys. Any favorite fixes or retrofits for something like this?

Many thanks-

David

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com
------------------------------

I have two of these pianos in my database. I *think* underneath the felt guide is an aluminum guide, if memory serves. The ones I saw weren't sticking but were clicking on that aluminum guide. I didn't replace the felt because the customer didn't want to invest that much money into the piano. 

Its odd that you have some coming out of their place. Could it be possible that something is causing them to move, and it's not just the felt?

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
Piano Technician / Artisan
(256) 947-9999
www.professional-piano-services.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-10-2022 08:31
From: David Brown
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

Many thanks to all for the responses. Very helpful!

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 23:09
From: James Kelly
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

Sounds like an easy repair taking your time and getting the holes lined up. You could make a story stick to get the spacing apart. I have a set of punches I think I got at Harbor Freight Tool. They work great punching holes in leather and felt Not sure if the tabs screw off/pop off or if the bottom of the lifter dowels snap out.
Nothing in my manual showed this setup- it just had the long wooden stickers with pins at the end going into a guide rail. Wear and tear/rubbing explains why they are not centered.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 21:38
From: Robert Sluss
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

I was just at a customer's who has one of those pianos, with the same problem. The some of the holes in the felt lifter rod guide felt have been wallowed out, and the tabs tens to shift away from the correct position and rub excessively against the felt and case noticeable resistance. The guide felt would have to be pretty dense; it's 1/8" thick, and 1/2" to 5/8" wide. One would need to find a felt cutting punch of some sort of 1/4", I believe. The original felt could be used for a guide for cutting the new holes

------------------------------
Robert Sluss
Lake City FL
(386) 752-1888

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 12:51
From: David Brown
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

Posting for a colleague- I have seen one of these in the distant past, an Acrosonic. The lifters are leaving the felt guides and coming off the ends of the keys. Any favorite fixes or retrofits for something like this?

Many thanks-

David

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com
------------------------------

Thank you, Benjamin. I have not actually seen this piano asking for a colleague. I will report back on his findings.

D

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-10-2022 11:26
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

I have two of these pianos in my database. I *think* underneath the felt guide is an aluminum guide, if memory serves. The ones I saw weren't sticking but were clicking on that aluminum guide. I didn't replace the felt because the customer didn't want to invest that much money into the piano. 

Its odd that you have some coming out of their place. Could it be possible that something is causing them to move, and it's not just the felt?

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
Piano Technician / Artisan
(256) 947-9999
www.professional-piano-services.com

Original Message:
Sent: 09-10-2022 08:31
From: David Brown
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

Many thanks to all for the responses. Very helpful!

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 23:09
From: James Kelly
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

Sounds like an easy repair taking your time and getting the holes lined up. You could make a story stick to get the spacing apart. I have a set of punches I think I got at Harbor Freight Tool. They work great punching holes in leather and felt Not sure if the tabs screw off/pop off or if the bottom of the lifter dowels snap out.
Nothing in my manual showed this setup- it just had the long wooden stickers with pins at the end going into a guide rail. Wear and tear/rubbing explains why they are not centered.

------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 21:38
From: Robert Sluss
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

I was just at a customer's who has one of those pianos, with the same problem. The some of the holes in the felt lifter rod guide felt have been wallowed out, and the tabs tens to shift away from the correct position and rub excessively against the felt and case noticeable resistance. The guide felt would have to be pretty dense; it's 1/8" thick, and 1/2" to 5/8" wide. One would need to find a felt cutting punch of some sort of 1/4", I believe. The original felt could be used for a guide for cutting the new holes

------------------------------
Robert Sluss
Lake City FL
(386) 752-1888

Original Message:
Sent: 09-07-2022 12:51
From: David Brown
Subject: Acrosonic lifters?

Posting for a colleague- I have seen one of these in the distant past, an Acrosonic. The lifters are leaving the felt guides and coming off the ends of the keys. Any favorite fixes or retrofits for something like this?

Many thanks-

David

------------------------------
David C. Brown RPT
Garland TX
tunermandb88.com
------------------------------