Ed,
Since universal wippens are not available worldwide these days without a long wait, I've decided to do just that, with a couple additions.
1. Put new M&H flanges on the existing wippens.
2. Shim the wippen rail up 2mm to bring the parts up to the original height.
3. Replace the rotten spring cords.
4. Remove the wippen heel felt and add a homemade heel extension to bring the capstan-heel contact point closer to the magic line. Currently, it is 1-3/8" above it.
5. Experiment with moving capstan to improve AR. Relocate capstans if necessary.
6. Install new hammer shanks and flanges.
7. Remove hammers and taper to reduce weight.
8. Remove excess lead in keys within acceptable max ranges for good DW or Balance Weight numbers.
I'm working on replacing wippen spring strings now... it's more tedious than I thought :(
JP
------------------------------
John Parham, RPT
Hickory, NC
828-244-2487
john440@me.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 10-12-2022 08:24
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Long wippen flange
John, I don't think this is a fine piano to begin with. Not a situation to dig in deeper.
Why not refurbish the existing flanges and wippens: new flange bushings, cords and cushions, and put it back together the way it was made.
New light weight hammers will be needed. I know the company who "rebuilt" this piano.
[Use one of the teaching Saturdays in your shop to have your students work as a team to rebush the flanges and refurbish the wippens.]
------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413
Original Message:
Sent: 10-12-2022 01:47
From: John Parham
Subject: Long wippen flange
Patrick and Jim,
Thank you for the value of your experience and suggestions.
Time constraints does not offer the benefit of parts duplication. Customer demand does not allow me to refurbish. At this point, I have to offer new parts replacement options within the next few weeks.
WNG is my preference, but they do not allow heel height flexibility that may help me improve extreme friction introduced by long capstans. Wooden parts with various heel positions and extensions will give me more information.
I hope to use longer flanges that will clear the wippen rail enough to require minimal cutting of the wippen rail. Shimming up the wippen rail will be easy enough to bring new wippens to the original positions of current wippens. The new variable will be how long do I have to make the new wippen heels. I'll make samples once I have the materials to do so and will report back.
Thank you all for your input.
Jp
------------------------------
John Parham, RPT
Hickory, NC
828-244-2487
john440@me.com
Original Message:
Sent: 10-11-2022 19:36
From: James Kelly
Subject: Long wippen flange
John .... just refurbish each of the existing whippens. You are likely create a monster if you start messing with capstans, cutting and shimming. Like the old saying goes measure twice cut once... but you are dealing with a piano that is different here. I am presently swapping out a full set of whips on a 1919 Mason & Hamlin. I got lucky finding a full set of Mason whips identical to the worn ones on the piano. I am going to put new whippen cushions on , plump up the whippen heels, replace any bad cord on the springs , clean up the wood and maybe some other tweaks. If this is a job for a customer the bill for all of your labor could add up as well as the frustration if it goes south
------------------------------
James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
Original Message:
Sent: 10-11-2022 14:40
From: Patrick Draine
Subject: Long wippen flange
Send an email inquiry to Abel. They may have some options for you (including duplicating parts).
------------------------------
Patrick Draine RPT
Billerica MA
(978) 663-9690
Original Message:
Sent: 10-11-2022 08:33
From: John Parham
Subject: Long wippen flange
I'm faced with possibly replacing wippens on a 6'3" 1899 Stultz and Bauer. The wippen flanges, however, are much longer than what I have always encountered. The distance between the action center and the middle of the screw hole is not the usual 14mm or so, but approximately 19mm. (See photo.)
Does anyone know where I can buy these extra long flanges?
Disregard the red circles. I took this picture for a different reason than for posting here. The lighter flange is a standard length piece.
Thank you for any help,
John Parham
------------------------------
John Parham, RPT
Hickory, NC
828-244-2487
john440@me.com
------------------------------