Pianotech

Hi folks

How does one separate the capstan from the whippen on this 1930's era Ibach? The capstan has dual posts and there is some kind of bushed slot in the key but before I take a hammer to it, perhaps someone has a solution. 

Thanks in advance

From the looks of it, it seems that the keys probably have a pin sideways through the slot, and the wippen has a split tip lined with felt that snaps over the pin in the key.  I'd try just prying up on the wippen.  Sort of like installing plastic elbows, they just snap in place.  This is often the case with upright pianos that have this same arrangement, with two screws to adjust the lost motion.  In your case, there's a capstan, which I'll bet has opposing threads like on a turnbuckle. 

The only other thing that I'm wondering is whether there's a screw near the tip that would pinch the wood and hold it more securely on the pin.  Same idea as is sometimes used on a sostenuto monkey.  But I'm not seeing that here.

Good luck.

Hi folks

How does one separate the capstan from the whippen on this 1930's era Ibach? The capstan has dual posts and there is some kind of bushed slot in the key but before I take a hammer to it, perhaps someone has a solution. 

Thanks in advance

From the looks of it, it seems that the keys probably have a pin sideways through the slot, and the wippen has a split tip lined with felt that snaps over the pin in the key.  I'd try just prying up on the wippen.  Sort of like installing plastic elbows, they just snap in place.  This is often the case with upright pianos that have this same arrangement, with two screws to adjust the lost motion.  In your case, there's a capstan, which I'll bet has opposing threads like on a turnbuckle. 

The only other thing that I'm wondering is whether there's a screw near the tip that would pinch the wood and hold it more securely on the pin.  Same idea as is sometimes used on a sostenuto monkey.  But I'm not seeing that here.

Good luck.

Hi folks

How does one separate the capstan from the whippen on this 1930's era Ibach? The capstan has dual posts and there is some kind of bushed slot in the key but before I take a hammer to it, perhaps someone has a solution. 

Thanks in advance