(tech tip by Michael Slavin, continued)
4. Glue a let-off button felt on the underside of the jack as a capstan cushion.
5. Push the lifter-wire hook down onto the jack/abstract. It will remain securely in place due to its tight pressure fit. The upright jack comes with a stop-felt on its front surface which is already in the perfect position to cushion the lifter-wire hook.
6. To ensure that the lifter-wire could not jump off the jack during vigorous play, I took the following precaution: using the tiny screw that comes with vertical hammer spring replacements, I mounted the vinyl tab end of a bridle strap (through the bridle wire hole) to the jack (just behind the lifter-wire, on the tender side.)
7. Pull the bridle strap tightly over the lifter-wire and mount it to the top of the jack with CA glue. Cut off the remainder of the bridle strap.
8. Adjust the capstan for correct lost motion to complete the repair.
When bringing a grand action back to your work place for regulating, the biggest problem is when you put it on your bench and it doesn't sit the same as it did in the piano. When you bring the action back to the customer, you end up with at least a key dip problem. I have a way to avoid some of this problem. Before taking the action out, take measurements of key height and key dip on one note in every section. When you bring the action back to your shop, make sure you get the same measurements. If you don't, prop up the action with shims under the glide pins until you have the same measurements. This also ensures that your key leveling will not change. Having a good, flat table is also advisable. If your table isn't flat, you can get a slab of glass 3/4 of an inch thick, and put it on your existing table. Make sure you put shims in any area that the glass doesn't make contact with the table or it will conform to the unevenness of the table.
If you would like some more insight on grand regulation, please come to this month's meeting where I will be giving the technical on grand regulation.