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Action removal without tools

  • 1.  Action removal without tools

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-10-2023 12:34

    Hello,

    One of the things I love about Yamaha grand pianos is how their actions can be removed without tools.  My Knabe rebuild (for myself) is constructed in some ways similar to the Yamaha, but three screws still need to be removed from underneath  The cheekblocks set in place with two wooden dowels that go into the keybed.  The keyslip is notched at both ends to fit around screws in the cheekblocks, two metal dowel-like guides that insert into the keybed and a single screw holds it in place in the center.  The right cheekblock screw hole is stripped and will need repair, and since I am already going to drill the old hole, glue in a dowel and then redrill, I decided to go ahead and retrofit a Yamaha style toolless setup.  I purchased cheekblock screws from Pianotek (Part# RH-5904) that are nearly identical to my 1980 grey market C5.  However, the keyslip will definitely need to be fastened down in the center from the bottom.  I'm looking into my options for doing away with the keyslip center screw and using some kind of toolless removal system.  Has anyone tried this?  What has worked for you? I am hesitant to put anything under the keyslip with much depth since I don't want to hit my knees against it.  Any thoughts would be appreciated, thanks!



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    Tim Foster
    New Oxford PA
    (470) 231-6074
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  • 2.  RE: Action removal without tools

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-10-2023 12:49
    Hi Tim,
       Have you seen the cheek block screws that have a folding head? The part you grip folds almost flat against underside of the keybed when you're not using it, only protruding about 1/4". And they're made by Yamaha. 

    Mark Schecter
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  • 3.  RE: Action removal without tools

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-10-2023 13:00

    Yes, I have seen them. I am not too worried about the sides, it's just the middle keyslip screw that needs to be very low profile. Does Yamaha make a really small version of what you describe?



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    Tim Foster
    New Oxford PA
    (470) 231-6074
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Action removal without tools

    Member
    Posted 03-10-2023 13:21

    It sounds like you are looking for a way to eliminate needing screws to hold the keyslip in place ? you should look at the way Steinway secures the keyslip. I large flathead screw goes into the front of the keyblock horizontally. The keyslip is notched with an arch type mortise probably made with a keyhole router bit. The cheek blocks are secured and then the keyslip just drops down with the flat head screw heads fitting into the mortices. You have to insure the keyslip is not flexing and catching on the keys You can glue small veneer strips on the fronts of the front action frame rail or put some adjustable flat head screws in the rail. 



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


  • 5.  RE: Action removal without tools

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-10-2023 14:06
    I have only seen one size. But the profile is low enough that you shouldn't run into unless your legs are either very long, or differently positioned than the usual ...

    Mark Schecter
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Action removal without tools

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-10-2023 16:08

    The diameter of a Yamaha flip-up wing screw may well be too large for a key slip.

    Alan 



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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Action removal without tools

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-10-2023 17:42
       Good point, Alan. The diameter is 2". Might depend on how far forward the hole center would need to be. I'm not sure how much trouble it's worth to avoid using a screwdriver, but one could reduce the overall diameter with a grinder to about 1.6" while leaving enough metal for strength. 
       Or, use a screwdriver once in a while. 

    Mark Schecter
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Action removal without tools

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-10-2023 19:45

    The center of the screw hole is exactly 1 inch from the edge. A 2" diameter cheekblock screw head would definitely be a little bit too big. Even if it goes right to the edge, it is bulkier than I am hoping for. I might run into the local hardware store tomorrow and poke around. Thanks!



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    Tim Foster
    New Oxford PA
    (470) 231-6074
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Action removal without tools

    Member
    Posted 03-11-2023 11:26

    You could try a flat knurled thumb screw. They come in different sizes and the head will sit close to the surface. 



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    Jeremy Frank
    Walterboro SC
    (843) 909-0632
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  • 10.  RE: Action removal without tools

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-12-2023 14:30

    I second James' suggestion above that you study how Steinway handles this. Fazioli uses a similar approach. A threaded fastener in the middle of the keypad is not a necessary part of the equation to achieve stability.



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    Floyd Gadd RPT
    Regina SK
    (306) 502-9103
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    Original Message


  • 11.  RE: Action removal without tools

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-16-2023 16:04

    Thanks for all the ideas, and I'll also look into Steinway's setup.  



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    Tim Foster
    New Oxford PA
    (470) 231-6074
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    Original Message


  • 12.  RE: Action removal without tools

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-17-2023 14:07

    "The right cheekblock screw hole is stripped and will need repair, and since I am already going to drill the old hole, glue in a dowel and then redrill..."

    You mean plug the hole for the screw, right? A dowel will easily strip again because the grain is in the wrong direction.



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    John Pope
    University of Kentucky School of Music
    Lexington, KY
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    Original Message