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Samick SM3A pedal issue

  • 1.  Samick SM3A pedal issue

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 22 days ago
      |   view attached

    Hopefully you can see from the attached photo that the pedal trapwork hits the casework.  I am guessing this is Not "factory" , but the aluminum tube has been bent at some time inthe past.  Has anyone else run into this? Is it safe to try and bend the tube back?  The connecting bolt <seems> to be vertical, which may be why someone bent the tube in the 1st place, to get it lined up with the hole in the pedal.  Suggestions? Experiences? Warnings?  Thanks.



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    Sheffey Gregory, RPT
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  • 2.  RE: Samick SM3A pedal issue

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 22 days ago
    Sheffy

    I believe this is the way it's supposed to be. It's bent to get around the soft pedal; bolt and get away from the plate. If it's working, leave it alone. 

    Wim 





  • 3.  RE: Samick SM3A pedal issue

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 21 days ago

    I've seen this once before. The one I saw did appear to be that way on purpose. I believe it would be possible to straighten it out, but unless it's causing issues, I'd probably just leave it the way it is. 



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    Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
    (256) 947-9999
    www.professional-piano-services.com
    www.FromZeroToSixFiguresBook.com
    www.PianoCraftTechnicalSchool.com
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  • 4.  RE: Samick SM3A pedal issue

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 21 days ago

    More pictures would help.  It looks like you may need to hacksaw off the corner of the shaft that might be rubbing against the bottom panel.  The tube is likely steel and may be tough to bend.

    Have fun!



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    Blaine Hebert RPT
    Duarte CA
    (626) 390-0512
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  • 5.  RE: Samick SM3A pedal issue

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 21 days ago

    S,

    The jog in the pedal is original and is for clearance around the middle pedal. 

    Most damper pedals have multiple holes for the prop bolt and a fair amount of play in the trap lever hinge. 

    To address: 

    • remove the pedal prop nut
    • remove the pedal hinge on the treble side
    • slide the pedal assembly hinge on out of the other hinge on the bass side
    • move the pedal prop bolt back one hole while making sure there is sufficient play in the trap lever hinge and that there is no interference created anywhere else in the system
    • reinstall the pedal hinge pin (still in the pedal) into the bass side pedal hinge bracket
    • reinstall the treble side pedal hinge bracket 
    • reinstall prop bolt through the pedal and reinstall the prop nut with any washers
    • reinstall pedal rod and adjust.
    • this should clear but you can trim the front corner as Blaine suggested but it'll be less material to remove. 

    The process is simpler than the description but I wanted to be thorough 

    See you soon!



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    Allan Gilreath, RPT
    Registered Piano Technician & President
    Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
    Calhoun, GA
    706-602-7667
    allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
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  • 6.  RE: Samick SM3A pedal issue

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 21 days ago

    This is odd. Looks like you do not have much clearance from the low bass plate strut. Allan's solution should work if it does not move the arm too close to the bass plate strut.

    My first thought was to take a belt sander with 50 grit belt and grind as much of the front corner off that you can. An electric drill with a course grinding wheel might work as well. If you take off the wing nut off the bolt the arm will probably rise enough from the case to be able to grind the corner down. Might take an extra set of hands or some kind of blocking behind the arm for effective grinding.



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    Tremaine Parsons RPT
    Georgetown CA
    (530) 333-9299
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  • 7.  RE: Samick SM3A pedal issue

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 21 days ago
    Thanks Everyone for your input.  Now I have to see what the customer is willing to pay for. :)

    Sheffey Gregory, RPT
    Gregory's Piano Service
    423.614.5001 landline
    423.580.0370 cell





  • 8.  RE: Samick SM3A pedal issue

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 21 days ago

    My experience is that the plastic bushings on which the long lever pivots deteriorate, causing to lever to find a new, less desirable position.

    New bushings are available from Samick.  I have also had someone 3D print some of these bushings to my spec, with even closer tolerances in regard to the center hole of the bushing than what Samick provides -- a no-wiggle fit with the pin on which the assembly pivots.



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    Floyd Gadd RPT
    Regina SK
    (306) 502-9103
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  • 9.  RE: Samick SM3A pedal issue

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 21 days ago

    I seem to remember it hits the toe board but not the knee board. Adjust so the pedal doesn't go down so far.



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    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
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  • 10.  RE: Samick SM3A pedal issue

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 21 days ago

    I think Floyd is onto something that the problem is at the fulcrum. If not plastic bushings, then perhaps the screws holding down the metal stamped bracket that the rod pivots on have loosened, it wouldn't take much. I would check those screws and maybe even try to loosen them and push the lever into position before retightening. 
    I have seen the flattened tubes, sometimes the corners are trimmed. 



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    Steven Rosenthal RPT
    Honolulu HI
    (808) 521-7129
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  • 11.  RE: Samick SM3A pedal issue

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 20 days ago

    It occurred to me after my 1st posting the grinding down the corner of the lifter arm is the "hack" repair. Not that I might no do it. However, I think addressing the actual cause would be better and I suspect the plastic pivot bushings or loose pivot mount. If grinding is necessary it will likely generate sparks so ample protection of the floor and case parts with a moving blanket would be in order. Better yet to remove the lifter arm and grind on a bench.



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    Tremaine Parsons RPT
    Georgetown CA
    (530) 333-9299
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  • 12.  RE: Samick SM3A pedal issue

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 20 days ago
      |   view attached

    I always carry a small hacksaw in my tool bag.  A hack saw does not generate sparks and could be used without any further concerns, aside from perhaps protecting against metal crumbs.



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    Blaine Hebert RPT
    Duarte CA
    (626) 390-0512
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