Sure, rocker capstans take more time to adjust that regular capstans. Tedious? Maybe, although I might argue that is a question of one's attitude.
Of course, the right tool is essential to retain one's sanity . see photo.
Here is e instruction sheet that I have put together for use of the offset screwdriver I have supplied:
Use:
To adjust rocker capstans, you have to go back and forth between the back and the front screws, adjusting both of them as required. To raise the hammer line, the back of the rocker capstan has to be raised and the front needs to be lowered, and vice versa.
To lower the front of the rocker capstan in order to raise the hammer:
- loosen the back screw.
- tighten the front screw an appropriate amount
- tighten the back screw (with sensitivity)
- check hammer height, adjust as needed
To lower the hammer:
- loosen the front screw.
- tighten the back screw an appropriate amount
- tighten the front screw (with sensitivity)
- check hammer height, adjust as needed
Notes:
The slender handle allows the user to roll the tool between their fingers to select the appropriately angled blade for the specific orientation of the screw slot. Roll the tool to the left when re-setting the tool in tightening, and to the right when loosening the screws, and the blade will line up with the screw slot. Never use the tool in a combination handle or similar – it will slow you down too much.
Because of the handle length, there is a lot of leverage (torque) that can be applied to the screw and the rocker capstan. Avoid tightening the rocker capstans down too much. Use this tool with sensitivity in your fingertips and some common sense and caution. The rocker capstans are well over 100 years old, many are brittle, and they can easily break in two.
When finished adjusting, the hammer should be in its correct position and the rocker capstan should be held tightly enough that it will not move, even if the wood dries out more. But it should not be clamped down so tight as to risk breakage.
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Jurgen Goering
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-24-2022 22:03
From: Jon Page
Subject: Rocker actions
If the front of the rocker arm is touching or very close to the key and you need to get more height, place a spacer under the rocker arm to gain the height you need (do the set). BTW every adjustment on these is very tediously time consuming, again and again.
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Regards,
Jon Page
mailto:jonpage@comcast.net
http://www.pianocapecod.com
Original Message:
Sent: 05-24-2022 13:10
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Rocker actions
1) Get a "Bechstein screwdriver" from Pianoforte Supply.
2) The technique:
a) The front screw moves the capstan up, the back screw moves it down.
b) Depending on which way you want to move the capstan, call one screw the "mover" and the other the "retainer."
c) Loosen the "retainer" a little.
d) Turn the "mover" just enough to get the capstan where you want it, and just a tiny bit more.
e) Tighten the "retainer", watching to just bring everything into perfect alignment, i.e. taking back the "tiny bit more" and firming the position of the rocker.
It's a very pleasing job with the right tool and technique.
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Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413
Original Message:
Sent: 05-24-2022 10:39
From: Andrew Lyford
Subject: Rocker actions
Hey Folks,
I enjoy reading your muses here, thank you!
Is there any info out there on servicing rocker actions? I get by on the rare occasion I see one, but wondered , as I often do, what I don't know!
Tried a journal search with no results.
Andy
Andrew J. Lyford, RPT
3355 Mount Olivet Rd
Martinsville, VA 24112
pianotechandy@gmail.com
1-276-732-6290
"A painter paints their pictures on canvas. Musicians paint their pictures on silence". Leopold Stokowski