Pianotech

List,
I need to replace the hardwood insert on the key frame where it contacts the shift lever because it is all chewed up (Steinway B.) I was thinking that I should replace it with the end grain facing where the shift lever makes contact. Is there a reason I should choose another grain orientation?

Thanks,

Joe Wiencek
NYC

How about a High Molecular Density Plastic?

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2022 21:43
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: Hardwood insert for shift lever

List,
I need to replace the hardwood insert on the key frame where it contacts the shift lever because it is all chewed up (Steinway B.) I was thinking that I should replace it with the end grain facing where the shift lever makes contact. Is there a reason I should choose another grain orientation?

Thanks,

Joe Wiencek
NYC

Jon,
That’s an interesting idea. Could this material be planed like wood? I don’t have sophisticated milling tools in my shop.

Joe


Original Message:
Sent: 6/29/2022 9:55:00 PM
From: Jon Page
Subject: RE: Hardwood insert for shift lever

How about a High Molecular Density Plastic?

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 06-29-2022 21:43
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: Hardwood insert for shift lever

List,
I need to replace the hardwood insert on the key frame where it contacts the shift lever because it is all chewed up (Steinway B.) I was thinking that I should replace it with the end grain facing where the shift lever makes contact. Is there a reason I should choose another grain orientation?

Thanks,

Joe Wiencek
NYC

Original Message:
Sent: 6/29/2022 9:44:00 PM
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: Hardwood insert for shift lever

List,
I need to replace the hardwood insert on the key frame where it contacts the shift lever because it is all chewed up (Steinway B.) I was thinking that I should replace it with the end grain facing where the shift lever makes contact. Is there a reason I should choose another grain orientation?

Thanks,

Joe Wiencek
NYC

Hi,

1/2" is too thick....measure once...cut twice....

Kind regards.

Horace

On 6/29/2022 7:12 PM, Wim Blees via Piano Technicians Guild wrote:
> It does make sense to use a piece of end grain, but you'll want to use at least an inch of it 1/2" thick, imbedded and glued into the keyframe. You will need to do some chiseling to get it to fit.
>
> -------------------------------------------
> Original Message:
> Sent: 6/29/2022 9:44:00 PM
> From: Joe Wiencek
> Subject: Hardwood insert for shift lever
>
> List,
> I need to replace the hardwood insert on the key frame where it contacts the shift lever because it is all chewed up (Steinway B.) I was thinking that I should replace it with the end grain facing where the shift lever makes contact. Is there a reason I should choose another grain orientation?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Joe Wiencek
> NYC
>
> Reply to Sender : https://my.ptg.org/eGroups/PostReply/?GroupId=43&MID=752527&SenderKey=728edbde-ad1a-4215-a26e-8c4633d58814
>
> Reply to Discussion : https://my.ptg.org/eGroups/PostReply/?GroupId=43&MID=752527
>
>
>
> You are subscribed to "Pianotech" as horace@horacegreeleypiano.com. To change your subscriptions, go to http://my.ptg.org/preferences?section=Subscriptions. To unsubscribe from this community discussion, go to http://my.ptg.org/HigherLogic/eGroups/Unsubscribe.aspx?UserKey=3feecf45-4a69-4cff-bbb2-fd6c7eaf0569&sKey=KeyRemoved&GroupKey=2bb4ebe8-4dba-4640-ae67-111903beaddf.
>


Original Message:
Sent: 6/29/2022 10:13:00 PM
From: Wim Blees
Subject: RE: Hardwood insert for shift lever

It does make sense to use a piece of end grain, but you'll want to use at least an inch of it 1/2" thick, imbedded and glued into the keyframe. You will need to do some chiseling to get it to fit. 

Original Message:
Sent: 6/29/2022 9:44:00 PM
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: Hardwood insert for shift lever

List,
I need to replace the hardwood insert on the key frame where it contacts the shift lever because it is all chewed up (Steinway B.) I was thinking that I should replace it with the end grain facing where the shift lever makes contact. Is there a reason I should choose another grain orientation?

Thanks,

Joe Wiencek
NYC

Original Message:
Sent: 6/29/2022 10:13:00 PM
From: Wim Blees
Subject: RE: Hardwood insert for shift lever

It does make sense to use a piece of end grain, but you'll want to use at least an inch of it 1/2" thick, imbedded and glued into the keyframe. You will need to do some chiseling to get it to fit. 

Original Message:
Sent: 6/29/2022 9:44:00 PM
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: Hardwood insert for shift lever

List,
I need to replace the hardwood insert on the key frame where it contacts the shift lever because it is all chewed up (Steinway B.) I was thinking that I should replace it with the end grain facing where the shift lever makes contact. Is there a reason I should choose another grain orientation?

Thanks,

Joe Wiencek
NYC

Original Message:
Sent: 6/29/2022 9:44:00 PM
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: Hardwood insert for shift lever

List,
I need to replace the hardwood insert on the key frame where it contacts the shift lever because it is all chewed up (Steinway B.) I was thinking that I should replace it with the end grain facing where the shift lever makes contact. Is there a reason I should choose another grain orientation?

Thanks,

Joe Wiencek
NYC

I believe there is an article in a past PTG journal on this repair. I forget the details but the repair was done well . There is a search function that will help you get the right edition of the journal. I just did this the other day for an article on repairing/refurbishing whippens. Jason Kanter did a great job to make this happen

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

Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2022 07:59
From: Edward Foote
Subject: Hardwood insert for shift lever

I had several Steinways with chewed up frames at the university. Combination of heavy use, poor geometry, and not so hard wood. I found a permanent repair that is a little more time intensive, but seems to be a permanent fix for heavily used pianos.   It is about 10 minutes of saw and chisel work if the action is already apart. 

       I repaired them with ebony inserts (1/2" X 1")  cut off a guitar fretboard blank.  The stuff is dense and hard.   I installed them so that end-grain faced the lever and glued them in with tite-bond .  Ebony is self-lubricating, so don't forget to wipe it down with acetone before  gluing for better adhesion. ( I did raise the shift lever up on one so that it didn't dig in). Touch of burnished graphite and nothing left to do but re-regulate the pedal rod. 

   Last I saw them, it had been 30 years of use without any further deterioration.  

Regards, 

Original Message:
Sent: 6/29/2022 9:44:00 PM
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: Hardwood insert for shift lever

List,
I need to replace the hardwood insert on the key frame where it contacts the shift lever because it is all chewed up (Steinway B.) I was thinking that I should replace it with the end grain facing where the shift lever makes contact. Is there a reason I should choose another grain orientation?

Thanks,

Joe Wiencek
NYC

Thank you James. I will look for that article.

Joe


Original Message:
Sent: 6/30/2022 2:54:00 PM
From: James Kelly
Subject: RE: Hardwood insert for shift lever

I believe there is an article in a past PTG journal on this repair. I forget the details but the repair was done well . There is a search function that will help you get the right edition of the journal. I just did this the other day for an article on repairing/refurbishing whippens. Jason Kanter did a great job to make this happen

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

Original Message:
Sent: 06-30-2022 07:59
From: Edward Foote
Subject: Hardwood insert for shift lever

I had several Steinways with chewed up frames at the university. Combination of heavy use, poor geometry, and not so hard wood. I found a permanent repair that is a little more time intensive, but seems to be a permanent fix for heavily used pianos.   It is about 10 minutes of saw and chisel work if the action is already apart. 

       I repaired them with ebony inserts (1/2" X 1")  cut off a guitar fretboard blank.  The stuff is dense and hard.   I installed them so that end-grain faced the lever and glued them in with tite-bond .  Ebony is self-lubricating, so don't forget to wipe it down with acetone before  gluing for better adhesion. ( I did raise the shift lever up on one so that it didn't dig in). Touch of burnished graphite and nothing left to do but re-regulate the pedal rod. 

   Last I saw them, it had been 30 years of use without any further deterioration.  

Regards, 

Original Message:
Sent: 6/29/2022 9:44:00 PM
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: Hardwood insert for shift lever

List,
I need to replace the hardwood insert on the key frame where it contacts the shift lever because it is all chewed up (Steinway B.) I was thinking that I should replace it with the end grain facing where the shift lever makes contact. Is there a reason I should choose another grain orientation?

Thanks,

Joe Wiencek
NYC

Ed,
How did you raise the lever? Plane the lever arm pin support blocks? I have been thinking of raising the lever as well, but considering Horace’s admonition to cut once, I may have to be prepared to reset the glides (they are set quite deep) and redo the key dip before making any adjustments to the lever height.

Joe


Original Message:
Sent: 6/30/2022 8:00:00 AM
From: Edward Foote
Subject: RE: Hardwood insert for shift lever

I had several Steinways with chewed up frames at the university. Combination of heavy use, poor geometry, and not so hard wood. I found a permanent repair that is a little more time intensive, but seems to be a permanent fix for heavily used pianos.   It is about 10 minutes of saw and chisel work if the action is already apart. 

       I repaired them with ebony inserts (1/2" X 1")  cut off a guitar fretboard blank.  The stuff is dense and hard.   I installed them so that end-grain faced the lever and glued them in with tite-bond .  Ebony is self-lubricating, so don't forget to wipe it down with acetone before  gluing for better adhesion. ( I did raise the shift lever up on one so that it didn't dig in). Touch of burnished graphite and nothing left to do but re-regulate the pedal rod. 

   Last I saw them, it had been 30 years of use without any further deterioration.  

Regards, 

Original Message:
Sent: 6/29/2022 9:44:00 PM
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: Hardwood insert for shift lever

List,
I need to replace the hardwood insert on the key frame where it contacts the shift lever because it is all chewed up (Steinway B.) I was thinking that I should replace it with the end grain facing where the shift lever makes contact. Is there a reason I should choose another grain orientation?

Thanks,

Joe Wiencek
NYC

Original Message:
Sent: 6/30/2022 3:01:00 PM
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: RE: Hardwood insert for shift lever

Ed,
How did you raise the lever? Plane the lever arm pin support blocks? I have been thinking of raising the lever as well, but considering Horace’s admonition to cut once, I may have to be prepared to reset the glides (they are set quite deep) and redo the key dip before making any adjustments to the lever height.

Joe


Original Message:
Sent: 6/30/2022 8:00:00 AM
From: Edward Foote
Subject: RE: Hardwood insert for shift lever

I had several Steinways with chewed up frames at the university. Combination of heavy use, poor geometry, and not so hard wood. I found a permanent repair that is a little more time intensive, but seems to be a permanent fix for heavily used pianos.   It is about 10 minutes of saw and chisel work if the action is already apart. 

       I repaired them with ebony inserts (1/2" X 1")  cut off a guitar fretboard blank.  The stuff is dense and hard.   I installed them so that end-grain faced the lever and glued them in with tite-bond .  Ebony is self-lubricating, so don't forget to wipe it down with acetone before  gluing for better adhesion. ( I did raise the shift lever up on one so that it didn't dig in). Touch of burnished graphite and nothing left to do but re-regulate the pedal rod. 

   Last I saw them, it had been 30 years of use without any further deterioration.  

Regards, 

Original Message:
Sent: 6/29/2022 9:44:00 PM
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: Hardwood insert for shift lever

List,
I need to replace the hardwood insert on the key frame where it contacts the shift lever because it is all chewed up (Steinway B.) I was thinking that I should replace it with the end grain facing where the shift lever makes contact. Is there a reason I should choose another grain orientation?

Thanks,

Joe Wiencek
NYC

Thank you Ed. It sounds like you used a table saw or a radial arm saw for the “kerf.”

Joe Wiencek


Original Message:
Sent: 7/1/2022 10:14:00 AM
From: Edward Foote
Subject: RE: Hardwood insert for shift lever

>>How did you raise the lever? Plane the lever arm pin support blocks? I have been thinking of raising the lever as well, but considering Horace's admonition to cut once, 

      I raised the shift lever by taking about one kerf's thickness off the  support blocks so that when remounted, the short arm was approx. 3 mm higher and made full contact.  

Original Message:
Sent: 6/30/2022 3:01:00 PM
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: RE: Hardwood insert for shift lever

Ed,
How did you raise the lever? Plane the lever arm pin support blocks? I have been thinking of raising the lever as well, but considering Horace’s admonition to cut once, I may have to be prepared to reset the glides (they are set quite deep) and redo the key dip before making any adjustments to the lever height.

Joe


Original Message:
Sent: 6/30/2022 8:00:00 AM
From: Edward Foote
Subject: RE: Hardwood insert for shift lever

I had several Steinways with chewed up frames at the university. Combination of heavy use, poor geometry, and not so hard wood. I found a permanent repair that is a little more time intensive, but seems to be a permanent fix for heavily used pianos.   It is about 10 minutes of saw and chisel work if the action is already apart. 

       I repaired them with ebony inserts (1/2" X 1")  cut off a guitar fretboard blank.  The stuff is dense and hard.   I installed them so that end-grain faced the lever and glued them in with tite-bond .  Ebony is self-lubricating, so don't forget to wipe it down with acetone before  gluing for better adhesion. ( I did raise the shift lever up on one so that it didn't dig in). Touch of burnished graphite and nothing left to do but re-regulate the pedal rod. 

   Last I saw them, it had been 30 years of use without any further deterioration.  

Regards, 

Original Message:
Sent: 6/29/2022 9:44:00 PM
From: Joe Wiencek
Subject: Hardwood insert for shift lever

List,
I need to replace the hardwood insert on the key frame where it contacts the shift lever because it is all chewed up (Steinway B.) I was thinking that I should replace it with the end grain facing where the shift lever makes contact. Is there a reason I should choose another grain orientation?

Thanks,

Joe Wiencek
NYC