It may be a good idea to try one for size before you order a set of new butterfly rep springs. It looks from the photo that the bottom leg is a little longer than customary on these. Also keep in mind that these springs come in two or three different gauges, thicker in the bass. Mic them to be sure you're not mixing them up.
Unless you see some difficiency with the existing ones I wouldn't go to the trouble of replacing them. Unless they've been regulated by an aspiring pretzel maker, that's not usually necessary. You won't really know until you've rough regulated the action and replaced any parts (i.e. hammers, shanks and flanges) you intend to. It is important to clean out the groove in the balancier where the top leg of the spring seats and lubricate it appropriately. Check that the posts are firmly attached to the body of the wippen. When adjusting the spring it's really not best practice to bend the wire--that's how they get messed up in the first place--but either tighten or loosen the coil by gently pushing down on the top leg or unhooking it from the groove and lifting it.
If they really do need replacing and you can't find replacements that fit it's not too hard to fashion new ones. Use music wire of the appropriate gauge. You can make your own jig with a flat piece of wood and a couple nails. It'll take some time to get the first one right, but after that, it goes pretty fast.
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Cecil Snyder RPT
Torrance CA
(310) 542-7108
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Original Message:
Sent: 02-07-2023 10:53
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Replacing repetition springs
Who uses fishing line for this, and precisely what do you use?
Peter Grey Piano Doctor
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Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
Original Message:
Sent: 01-17-2023 18:09
From: Tim Foster
Subject: Replacing repetition springs
Paul, thank you very much, I found it at Schaff. I appreciate you taking the time to walk me through the process, too.
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Tim Foster
New Oxford PA
(470) 231-6074
Original Message:
Sent: 01-17-2023 10:54
From: Paul McCloud
Subject: Replacing repetition springs
You can cut this cord, and punch it out. The supply houses sell this cord, which has an outer braid and small strands in the core. You can pull the strands out a little bit, maybe 1/2" from one end. The other end, which is now empty, you can wet with glue and roll it around between your fingers to reduce the diameter. Let it dry, and you can insert the new cord into the flange with the spring, then cut off the excess. Pull the new cord all the way to the end before you cut it off, or you'll have to start over and make a new end to insert. The reason they use this cord is to eliminate noise from the spring. The same process is used with the springs on damper flanges in an upright piano.
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Paul McCloud, RPT
Accutone Piano Service
www.AccutonePianoService.com
pavadasa@gmail.com
Original Message:
Sent: 01-17-2023 10:04
From: Tim Foster
Subject: Replacing repetition springs
Hi all,
I'm getting ready to refurbish this action (see pic). I would like to replace the repetition springs when I replace the bushings. It appears that there is some kind of string segment inserted through the repetition springs center. Assuming I can simply cut the center string, remove the spring and then punch out the center, how would I go about replacing this when the new repetition spring is inserted? (I know that replacing the wippen assembly would be easier, but I figured doing this process would save me some money and help prepare me for the RPT technical.)
Thanks!
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Tim Foster
New Oxford PA
(470) 231-6074
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