Pianotech

  • 1.  Steinway half round balance rail bearings

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-19-2024 00:09
    Greetings fellow Technicians!

    Does anyone know of a source for the old style Steinway half round bearings on the balance rail.  I can't seem to find them even from Steinway. ( I probably don't know the proper term for them which would make them hard to find!).  In the event that those little half round felt covered things are no longer available, how do you guys go about converting to conventional punchings?  I suppose recovering the wood cores is an option, but I'm hoping to just find new pieces.  (Getting lazy in my old age.) Thanks in advance for the collective wisdom shared from this group!

    Joe Tom McDonald RPT


  • 2.  RE: Steinway half round balance rail bearings

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-19-2024 07:48

    Joe,

    I'd probably recover them if they're so worn out. Seems to me that converting to standard punchings would require making a new balance rail which is likely an even bigger job. First though I'd probably put a drop of VS-PROFELT on each side (the bearing surfaces) and see what that does (just for kicks). 

    Peter Grey Piano Doctor 



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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    (603) 686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Steinway half round balance rail bearings

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-19-2024 08:15

    The half rounds on the balance rail were part of Steinway's accelerated action design. To convert them to conventional punchings would change the geometry of the action because you'd be changing the design. For that reason, I would consider recovering them rather than replacing them with conventional punchings.

    I know for a while Steinway sold half round replacements, but it wouldn't surprise me if they don't sell them anymore. Good luck trying to get help over the phone. 



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    Benjamin Sanchez, RPT
    Piano Technician / Artisan
    (256) 947-9999
    www.professional-piano-services.com
    www.FromZeroToSixFiguresBook.com
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Steinway half round balance rail bearings

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-19-2024 10:10

    Hi Joe,

    Steinway still continues to sell half round bearings, however the half rounds are out of stock at the moment. Monday the 22nd is the first day of the 6 week factory shutdown which means the half round bearings will not be in stock and available until sometime after Labor Day. If it can wait, you can place an order and the parts will ship once they are in stock.

    The Steinway parts department phone number is 718-204-3150.

    Always feel free to contact customer service directly for any general Steinway-related questions or advice 718-204-3146 or email customerservice@steinway.com

    For technical support, please feel free to call 718-267-3229

    Hope to hear from you soon.



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    Daniel DeBiasio
    Technical Education & Support
    ddebiasio@steinway.com
    718-267-3229
    Steinway & Sons
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    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: Steinway half round balance rail bearings

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 07-20-2024 10:47
    Thanks to Peter, Ben, and Daniel for your responses. It’s good to know the half round bearings are still available (although not in the time frame I need). So….. it appears my only option is to recover them. In a weird way, the job is already half done because the action in question got wet courtesy of a plumbing leak on the second floor above the piano and the felt has separated itself from the wood cores. I’m replacing key pins as well and doing a lot of gluing things back together. Having fun in the old Steinway tonight!

    Thanks again for the help and info!
    Joe Tom McDonald RPT


    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Steinway half round balance rail bearings

    Member
    Posted 07-20-2024 17:00
    With the last set that I got, the center holes were too small for the balance rail pins and I had to drill them out before they could be used. Just a heads up that there may be some fitting involved.

    Rex Roseman



    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Steinway half round balance rail bearings

    Posted 07-20-2024 18:09
    Hi, Red,

    That's been my process for some time.

    One does what one must.

    Kind regards.

    Horace





      Original Message


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