CAUT

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

I follow your reasoning, Wim. But with the naked eye alone, I cannot discern the rear part of the repetition lever trying to rise higher than where it would be as a function of the drop position.

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

I follow your reasoning, Wim. But with the naked eye alone, I cannot discern the rear part of the repetition lever trying to rise higher than where it would be as a function of the drop position.

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

I follow your reasoning, Wim. But with the naked eye alone, I cannot discern the rear part of the repetition lever trying to rise higher than where it would be as a function of the drop position.

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

After spending some more time with the action in question this morning, I have arrived at pretty much the same conclusion that you just shared, Dennis.

So where were you yesterday when I was tearing out what little hair I have left? ;-)

I follow your reasoning, Wim. But with the naked eye alone, I cannot discern the rear part of the repetition lever trying to rise higher than where it would be as a function of the drop position.

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

My guess is that it protects the cord loop from excess strain and keep it from breaking.

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

If you put impact pressure on a group of hammers in the unsupported center of a section you will often hear one or more hammer shanks hitting these stop bars, thereby solving the cause of a mysterious click during vigorous playing.  You can also see marks on the offending hammer shanks where they hit. 

This might be a reason to turn down some of these bars or raise the hammer rail.

Something to check.

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

First, CAF is a new acronym to me, but I love it! Secondly, Stodart was a NY maker, built squares, then uprights and small grands. Thirdly, I think the piece served as "idiot proofing" to keep a tech from pushing down the front of the lever too far and snapping the cord for the spring. It makes you think, disconnect the cord first, then turn the screw 90 degrees, and then do whatever you need to do. 
it would be interesting to know how a piano from a small production maker in NY ended up at CalArts, and what you intend to do with it, but we all take on projects that are more interesting technically than musically. I think this design went away because it was relatively heavy and slow compared to the butterfly spring, plus a bit more complicated to work on without obvious benefit.

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

Hi David,

Thanks for chiming in!

My German dean often comments on our (American) penchant for acronyms. CAF is one of my personal favorites. "Catastrophic Action Failure" sounds like the piano action equivalent of a submersible imploding, or the like.

Thanks for the 411 on Stodart. Another technician evaluated this piano for us and could not find it listed in the Pierce Atlas. We ascertained its approximate age by design features (such as the wippen). Thought it could be a stencil piano, since there is no "brand" cast into the string frame.

Your take on what function that "L" screw performs may be on to something (and along the lines of what Paul McCloud wrote).

I was hoping that no one would inquire as to how it is that we are working on such a beast. But since you asked, here is the reason: We needed a small grand and, due to financial constraints, we are no able to purchase any pianos. The only way we are able to augment our inventory is to accept donations and then take what ever time is necessary to make those instruments ship-shape. Very educational for my trainees, but real time bandits (especially this one!). Had I evaluated this piano personally, I may not have accepted it. But once we had paid for the evaluation and the move, the die was cast. We had no viable alternative but to forge ahead and make the most of it (without replacing any parts). It had been restrung and the hammers were replaced (although not the shanks and flanges), but the regulation was in a deplorable state. However, for a 4' 9' instrument with no beams, it has decent tone.

First, CAF is a new acronym to me, but I love it! Secondly, Stodart was a NY maker, built squares, then uprights and small grands. Thirdly, I think the piece served as "idiot proofing" to keep a tech from pushing down the front of the lever too far and snapping the cord for the spring. It makes you think, disconnect the cord first, then turn the screw 90 degrees, and then do whatever you need to do. 
it would be interesting to know how a piano from a small production maker in NY ended up at CalArts, and what you intend to do with it, but we all take on projects that are more interesting technically than musically. I think this design went away because it was relatively heavy and slow compared to the butterfly spring, plus a bit more complicated to work on without obvious benefit.

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

Hi David,

Thanks for chiming in!

My German dean often comments on our (American) penchant for acronyms. CAF is one of my personal favorites. "Catastrophic Action Failure" sounds like the piano action equivalent of a submersible imploding, or the like.

Thanks for the 411 on Stodart. Another technician evaluated this piano for us and could not find it listed in the Pierce Atlas. We ascertained its approximate age by design features (such as the wippen). Thought it could be a stencil piano, since there is no "brand" cast into the string frame.

Your take on what function that "L" screw performs may be on to something (and along the lines of what Paul McCloud wrote).

I was hoping that no one would inquire as to how it is that we are working on such a beast. But since you asked, here is the reason: We needed a small grand and, due to financial constraints, we are no able to purchase any pianos. The only way we are able to augment our inventory is to accept donations and then take what ever time is necessary to make those instruments ship-shape. Very educational for my trainees, but real time bandits (especially this one!). Had I evaluated this piano personally, I may not have accepted it. But once we had paid for the evaluation and the move, the die was cast. We had no viable alternative but to forge ahead and make the most of it (without replacing any parts). It had been restrung and the hammers were replaced (although not the shanks and flanges), but the regulation was in a deplorable state. However, for a 4' 9' instrument with no beams, it has decent tone.

First, CAF is a new acronym to me, but I love it! Secondly, Stodart was a NY maker, built squares, then uprights and small grands. Thirdly, I think the piece served as "idiot proofing" to keep a tech from pushing down the front of the lever too far and snapping the cord for the spring. It makes you think, disconnect the cord first, then turn the screw 90 degrees, and then do whatever you need to do. 
it would be interesting to know how a piano from a small production maker in NY ended up at CalArts, and what you intend to do with it, but we all take on projects that are more interesting technically than musically. I think this design went away because it was relatively heavy and slow compared to the butterfly spring, plus a bit more complicated to work on without obvious benefit.

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

That may very well be the case, Richard.

Hi David,

Thanks for chiming in!

My German dean often comments on our (American) penchant for acronyms. CAF is one of my personal favorites. "Catastrophic Action Failure" sounds like the piano action equivalent of a submersible imploding, or the like.

Thanks for the 411 on Stodart. Another technician evaluated this piano for us and could not find it listed in the Pierce Atlas. We ascertained its approximate age by design features (such as the wippen). Thought it could be a stencil piano, since there is no "brand" cast into the string frame.

Your take on what function that "L" screw performs may be on to something (and along the lines of what Paul McCloud wrote).

I was hoping that no one would inquire as to how it is that we are working on such a beast. But since you asked, here is the reason: We needed a small grand and, due to financial constraints, we are no able to purchase any pianos. The only way we are able to augment our inventory is to accept donations and then take what ever time is necessary to make those instruments ship-shape. Very educational for my trainees, but real time bandits (especially this one!). Had I evaluated this piano personally, I may not have accepted it. But once we had paid for the evaluation and the move, the die was cast. We had no viable alternative but to forge ahead and make the most of it (without replacing any parts). It had been restrung and the hammers were replaced (although not the shanks and flanges), but the regulation was in a deplorable state. However, for a 4' 9' instrument with no beams, it has decent tone.

First, CAF is a new acronym to me, but I love it! Secondly, Stodart was a NY maker, built squares, then uprights and small grands. Thirdly, I think the piece served as "idiot proofing" to keep a tech from pushing down the front of the lever too far and snapping the cord for the spring. It makes you think, disconnect the cord first, then turn the screw 90 degrees, and then do whatever you need to do. 
it would be interesting to know how a piano from a small production maker in NY ended up at CalArts, and what you intend to do with it, but we all take on projects that are more interesting technically than musically. I think this design went away because it was relatively heavy and slow compared to the butterfly spring, plus a bit more complicated to work on without obvious benefit.

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

That may very well be the case, Richard.

Hi David,

Thanks for chiming in!

My German dean often comments on our (American) penchant for acronyms. CAF is one of my personal favorites. "Catastrophic Action Failure" sounds like the piano action equivalent of a submersible imploding, or the like.

Thanks for the 411 on Stodart. Another technician evaluated this piano for us and could not find it listed in the Pierce Atlas. We ascertained its approximate age by design features (such as the wippen). Thought it could be a stencil piano, since there is no "brand" cast into the string frame.

Your take on what function that "L" screw performs may be on to something (and along the lines of what Paul McCloud wrote).

I was hoping that no one would inquire as to how it is that we are working on such a beast. But since you asked, here is the reason: We needed a small grand and, due to financial constraints, we are no able to purchase any pianos. The only way we are able to augment our inventory is to accept donations and then take what ever time is necessary to make those instruments ship-shape. Very educational for my trainees, but real time bandits (especially this one!). Had I evaluated this piano personally, I may not have accepted it. But once we had paid for the evaluation and the move, the die was cast. We had no viable alternative but to forge ahead and make the most of it (without replacing any parts). It had been restrung and the hammers were replaced (although not the shanks and flanges), but the regulation was in a deplorable state. However, for a 4' 9' instrument with no beams, it has decent tone.

First, CAF is a new acronym to me, but I love it! Secondly, Stodart was a NY maker, built squares, then uprights and small grands. Thirdly, I think the piece served as "idiot proofing" to keep a tech from pushing down the front of the lever too far and snapping the cord for the spring. It makes you think, disconnect the cord first, then turn the screw 90 degrees, and then do whatever you need to do. 
it would be interesting to know how a piano from a small production maker in NY ended up at CalArts, and what you intend to do with it, but we all take on projects that are more interesting technically than musically. I think this design went away because it was relatively heavy and slow compared to the butterfly spring, plus a bit more complicated to work on without obvious benefit.

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan

Thanks so much for the background you provided on the story behind CAF and the related need for stronger rep spring tension and rep lever center pinning. Fascinating stuff, Fred.

With regard to your statement that, "I don't think those action designers would have just put it there for no reason," one of the few relatively safe assumptions we can make in piano technology is that manufacturers are extremely unlikely to spend a nickle on something that doesn't need to be there. That is why, before proceeding to neutralize these "L" screws, I wanted to first gain an understanding of why they were there to begin with.

Thanks for being a living archive, and for sharing your knowledge and understanding so freely, Fred.

That may very well be the case, Richard.

Hi David,

Thanks for chiming in!

My German dean often comments on our (American) penchant for acronyms. CAF is one of my personal favorites. "Catastrophic Action Failure" sounds like the piano action equivalent of a submersible imploding, or the like.

Thanks for the 411 on Stodart. Another technician evaluated this piano for us and could not find it listed in the Pierce Atlas. We ascertained its approximate age by design features (such as the wippen). Thought it could be a stencil piano, since there is no "brand" cast into the string frame.

Your take on what function that "L" screw performs may be on to something (and along the lines of what Paul McCloud wrote).

I was hoping that no one would inquire as to how it is that we are working on such a beast. But since you asked, here is the reason: We needed a small grand and, due to financial constraints, we are no able to purchase any pianos. The only way we are able to augment our inventory is to accept donations and then take what ever time is necessary to make those instruments ship-shape. Very educational for my trainees, but real time bandits (especially this one!). Had I evaluated this piano personally, I may not have accepted it. But once we had paid for the evaluation and the move, the die was cast. We had no viable alternative but to forge ahead and make the most of it (without replacing any parts). It had been restrung and the hammers were replaced (although not the shanks and flanges), but the regulation was in a deplorable state. However, for a 4' 9' instrument with no beams, it has decent tone.

First, CAF is a new acronym to me, but I love it! Secondly, Stodart was a NY maker, built squares, then uprights and small grands. Thirdly, I think the piece served as "idiot proofing" to keep a tech from pushing down the front of the lever too far and snapping the cord for the spring. It makes you think, disconnect the cord first, then turn the screw 90 degrees, and then do whatever you need to do. 
it would be interesting to know how a piano from a small production maker in NY ended up at CalArts, and what you intend to do with it, but we all take on projects that are more interesting technically than musically. I think this design went away because it was relatively heavy and slow compared to the butterfly spring, plus a bit more complicated to work on without obvious benefit.

Greetings,

Working on a 1920-something "Stodart" piano (brand name appears on the fallboard only--no where on the string frame).

The question at present is: What is the function of the "L" shaped piece that screws into the horizontal member of the wippen body? As can be seen in the (hopefully) attached image, the short, bent part of the "L" hovers above the rear of the repetition lever. There is a piece of felt on top of the repetition lever underneath the bent part of the screw, suggesting that there could be contact between the angled part of this screw and the top rear of the repetition lever. We have not been able to discern the function of this part, which I have not seen on any more modern grand actions. When we rotate the bent part of the "L" screw 90o, so that it is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the repetition lever. the action still seems to work in every other respect.

Thanks,

Alan