Pianotech

I have a customer with a Whitney Spinet (circa 1975) and the hammer butt springs are breaking off.  I bought the hammer rail repair springs from Schaff.  Initially I thought I would take the hammer rail springs off the action (picture attached) and just drill and set the repair springs in place, but that is proving problematic because I do not know exactly where to place them without having the reference of the hammer butt groove in front of me.  

In talking this through with myself, I think I need to put the hammer spring rail back on the action and then remove a damper, replace the spring and then re-install the damper.  

Does this sound like a good plan?  I don't use the Facebook groups anymore because folks seem to lose their minds about things that have no bearing on what I am working on.  Thank you!

------------------------------
Patrick Greene
OWNER
Knoxville TN
(865) 384-6582
------------------------------

Patrick

I did several spring replacement jobs when I was on Hawaii, so I have a little experience with that. Take off the rail and try to remove as many of the old springs out of the rail as possible. Many of them will break off right at the wood, but the more you take out the easier it will to put in the new ones.

When you put in the new ones, the tails are much longer than you need. But push them through the old hole and then wrap the tail around into the grove on the other side. BTW, make sure you have the right size spring. Then cut off any excess.

For the ones where the tail broke off, drill as small a hole as you can right next to the broken spring, and install the new ones. You might need to add some CA glue to make them stay put.

After they are all in, replace the rail. When you play the piano and a key doesn’t quite play right it could be that the spring is too tight. In that case bend it back a little to take some of the tension off the spring.

It’s not a difficult job, but it does take patience. Good luck.

Wim.
Sent from my iPhone

Wim,

your directions were spot on.  I was able to remove all the old springs completely and I have started replacing the new springs as you directed.  There is a bit of excess spring, so I am trimming that off as I go and putting a drop of CA glue to hold them tight.  You are correct, it is not difficult.  I have been gifted with a lot of patience, but I should be finished within a couple of hours.  Thanks a bunch and I hope you have a great day!

Update: Yep, it took me exactly two hours, but towards the end, I was putting them in like a champ.  Thanks again.

------------------------------
Patrick Greene
OWNER
Knoxville TN
(865) 384-6582
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2025 08:43
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Replacing hammer rail return springs

Patrick

I did several spring replacement jobs when I was on Hawaii, so I have a little experience with that. Take off the rail and try to remove as many of the old springs out of the rail as possible. Many of them will break off right at the wood, but the more you take out the easier it will to put in the new ones.

When you put in the new ones, the tails are much longer than you need. But push them through the old hole and then wrap the tail around into the grove on the other side. BTW, make sure you have the right size spring. Then cut off any excess.

For the ones where the tail broke off, drill as small a hole as you can right next to the broken spring, and install the new ones. You might need to add some CA glue to make them stay put.

After they are all in, replace the rail. When you play the piano and a key doesn't quite play right it could be that the spring is too tight. In that case bend it back a little to take some of the tension off the spring.

It's not a difficult job, but it does take patience. Good luck.

Wim.
Sent from my iPhone