Pianotech

  • 1.  Kimball Upright Serial # 198904 (>100 Years Old) - Brass damper flange clips broken

    Posted 10-14-2022 20:23
    I've attached some photos I marked up to help explain a difficult repair situation I encountered this afternoon.

    Had the problem been with the brass rail clip at the hammer butt I would have been prepared to make the repair, but I haven't encountered a brass type damper attachment before.
    I think the photos tell the story and I'm wondering if anyone on our list is familiar with this situation and may be able to advise me on the repair. 

    Thank you, 

    Sean




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    Sean Stafford
    Endicott NY
    (607) 239-4643
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  • 2.  RE: Kimball Upright Serial # 198904 (>100 Years Old) - Brass damper flange clips broken

    Posted 10-14-2022 20:54
    Hello Sean,
    I encountered those exact damper clips, one being broken. Since it was only one in the tenor section, I borrowed the clip from the last damper.
    Peter

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    Petrus Janssen
    Peachtree City GA
    (678) 416-8055
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Kimball Upright Serial # 198904 (>100 Years Old) - Brass damper flange clips broken

    Posted 10-15-2022 10:08
    Thank you Peter, that's a good idea, I can also move a damper in the tenor section and I'll give that a try. 

    That leave the bi-chord in the bass still not working but I won't give up the quest and will post the solution when I finally find one 

    Thanks again!

    Sean

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    Sean Stafford
    Endicott NY
    (607) 239-4643
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Kimball Upright Serial # 198904 (>100 Years Old) - Brass damper flange clips broken

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-14-2022 21:24
    This might help you, available from Schaff. 

    REPAIR DAMPER SPRING, UPRIGHTS

    $0.40  PRODUCT NUMBER : 1538A (EACH)
    Inline image




    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Kimball Upright Serial # 198904 (>100 Years Old) - Brass damper flange clips broken

    Posted 10-15-2022 10:11
    Thank you, Wim. 

    I have used those springs before on standard dampers, but I'm not sure it would work on this piano because there is no flange screw to attach it to. 

    I'll keep researching this and will let you know when I finally find a solution. 

    Thanks again!

    Sean

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    Sean Stafford
    Endicott NY
    (607) 239-4643
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    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Kimball Upright Serial # 198904 (>100 Years Old) - Brass damper flange clips broken

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-16-2022 02:49
    These repair springs will not work on Kimball brass damper flanges. Right now they are made of unobtainium! And they are very subject to age fatigue.
    I have a few pianos with them... aaugh, good pianos, if not for this peculiarity.



    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Kimball Upright Serial # 198904 (>100 Years Old) - Brass damper flange clips broken

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 10-16-2022 13:29
    If some other brass flange plate will work to secure the damper lever, perhaps you could rig a spring coming down from the hammer return spring rail.

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