|
Welcome to the Piano World Piano Forums Over 3 million posts about pianos, digital pianos, and all types of keyboard instruments. Over 100,000 members from around the world.
Join the World's Largest Community of Piano Lovers
(it's free)
It's Fun to Play the Piano ... Please Pass It On!
|
|
70 members (anotherscott, AaronSF, apianostudent, beeboss, brdwyguy, benkeys, Abdulrohmanoman, 16 invisible),
2,221
guests, and
426
robots. |
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,425
6000 Post Club Member
|
OP
6000 Post Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,425 |
They can send a man to the moon but...
they can't make a capstan adjusting tool for square shouldered capstans that works very well. arggghhh!
Others?
Jeff Deutschle Part-Time Tuner Who taught the first chicken how to peck?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,864
4000 Post Club Member
|
4000 Post Club Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,864 |
Are you speaking of Kimball style spinets, or grands? I had a grand last week, and I'm replacing grommets on two spinets today! It keeps me out of trouble, I guess!
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,671
2000 Post Club Member
|
2000 Post Club Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,671 |
I've done my fair share of grommet jobs; not my favorite!
Ugh...makes me think of the last set I did. Old spinet that had a mid-treble string broken, so I had to pull the action to install a new one. Only problem was, all the grommets were old and crumbling. I told the customer that to pull the action, I would also have to replace all the grommets because they would fall apart. So glad drop actions aren't build any more....
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,425
6000 Post Club Member
|
OP
6000 Post Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,425 |
Thank, Bob:
I mean any square shoulder capstan like you find on direct blow actions. Many manufacturers use them but it happened that the latest was a Whitney made by Kimball (but a pre-WWII studio, not the infamous spinet). Actually, it was a decent piano. It had a 3/4 plate but was able to raise it 70 cents in one pass. The open faced pinblock had a ribbon mahogany face and was more than tight enough with #1 pins. It seems so odd to look at a green plate while tuning, though. The owners paid as much as a house would cost for it, but they got the house that it was in for free. At least that is one way of looking at pianos that are left in sold houses.
I have a couple of capstan tools and may try bending one to an angle so that I can lever the tip up under the shoulder as I try to find the place where the tool will engage the square part.
Jeff Deutschle Part-Time Tuner Who taught the first chicken how to peck?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,205
1000 Post Club Member
|
1000 Post Club Member
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,205 |
Have you tried the Yamaha style capstan tool? Much better.
Dale Fox Registered Piano Technician Remanufacturing/Rebuilding
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 411
Full Member
|
Full Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 411 |
If I have more than a few to adjust, I remove the keys. I find it better simpler faster more efficient less frustrating.
Bending spoons is my favorite.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,425
6000 Post Club Member
|
OP
6000 Post Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,425 |
Thanks All:
I will have to take a look at the design of the Yamaha tool. What is it that makes it better?
Out of frustration I often do pull the keys, but usually there is some strain on the balance rail hole unless the action is removed due to the whippen only going up so far. I don't want to put more wear than necessary on the holes.
Bending spoons is a piece of cake - with the action out! Reblitz's method is great.
Jeff Deutschle Part-Time Tuner Who taught the first chicken how to peck?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,828
6000 Post Club Member
|
6000 Post Club Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,828 |
Scroll down to page D-12. Under regulation tools. http://www.pianoteksupply.com/assets/pdf/tools/regulatingtools.pdf CAPSTAN WRENCH Features angled handle for easier access to capstan screws. 1/4†opening. Black oxide finish. Approximately 63â„8†in length. #JCW-1 Capstan Wrench On the same page at the top is the HART SPRING TOOL The Hart Spring Tool is designed specifically for regulating tension of the butterfly type spring. The circular notch allows use from any position, and cannot kink the spring. Absolutely the best spring regulation tool made. Works great on hammer butt and damper lever springs. Wellcrafted in stainless steel for a lifetime of use. Measures 61â„2†in length. I love this tool too.
Jerry Groot RPT Piano Technicians Guild Grand Rapids, Michigan www.grootpiano.comWe love to play BF2.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,677
2000 Post Club Member
|
2000 Post Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,677 |
That's interesting. I got frustrated and made a tool using a cheapo wrench that looks quite a bit like the pianotech product. A rubber mute wire soldered to the wrench and bent to an angle works just fine.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,758
2000 Post Club Member
|
2000 Post Club Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,758 |
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,203
3000 Post Club Member
|
3000 Post Club Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,203 |
Jerry, ditto on the Hart spring tool... it just feels good in your hand...not to mention it works...
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,425
6000 Post Club Member
|
OP
6000 Post Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,425 |
Thanks, Jerry:
I don't have that style of capstan wrench and will probably try bending one I have to be more like that and maybe buy one with my next order. (I hate paying shipping for small orders.) Are there two angles in the tool, one at the head and one at the twist, or just one at the twist?
Already have the Hart spring tool and it is a good one.
Jeff Deutschle Part-Time Tuner Who taught the first chicken how to peck?
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,828
6000 Post Club Member
|
6000 Post Club Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 6,828 |
Welcome Jeff.
There are 2 angles on it. One, to rest the capstan tool against the key for leverage and the other as you mentioned, to angle up or down towards the capstan itself. I love mine. Just make sure you get the Yamaha made one when you order it. It does not fit the capstans that are ALL square, if that makes sense? Those that are about 1/8" thick all the way up and down the capstan. It fits the larger ones perfectly, those with the larger square heads that are roughly 1/4" thick or so. I love mine along with that Hart tool. Way worth the investment.
I agree, I don't like purchasing 1 or 2 items so, when I need something, I look for stuff that I WANT too!!! hehe! Excuse to get another tool then or "toy."
Jerry Groot RPT Piano Technicians Guild Grand Rapids, Michigan www.grootpiano.comWe love to play BF2.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,203
3000 Post Club Member
|
3000 Post Club Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 3,203 |
Senseless comment edited
Last edited by Monster M&H; 10/01/10 08:22 AM.
|
|
|
|
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,425
6000 Post Club Member
|
OP
6000 Post Club Member
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,425 |
Jerry:
Thanks for mentioning that it does not fit the 1/8 inch capstans. That is about all I run into! I'll try adding and changing angles to what I do have.
Jeff Deutschle Part-Time Tuner Who taught the first chicken how to peck?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:34 PM
|
Piano
by Gino2 - 04/17/24 02:23 PM
|
|
Forums43
Topics223,408
Posts3,349,457
Members111,637
|
Most Online15,252 Mar 21st, 2010
|
|
|
|
|
|