Stieff Rebuild - the Beginning
Category: Shop WorkDate: 2015-03-07
New WNG parts for the action were ordered two years ago. The three photos in the sequence here compare new wippens to old. The new wippens will be installed with a tall heel, unlike what is pictured here.
The Stieff was recently moved out to the shop, and first steps taken were to clean keys and key frame with bead blast. In this effort I used corn cob grit media, "Grit-O'cob" from Anderson's Cob Products.
After cleaning, key pins were removed. New WNG key pins will be installed. The maple feet for the action support brackets were removed. Newly sized feet will be installed to place the action stack at the optimal height.
Key frame after cleaning
Additional views of the old action are shown in the group below:
The knuckles are rock hard and noisy
Take note of "W N & G" cast in the action stack
The Stieff has a massive rim!
The massive rim of the Stieff piano
Interestingly, the soundboard and ribs sit above the inner rim. Though I had been under this piano many times in the past ten years, I had not noticed that. While talking about the project at WESTPAC, Dale Erwin mentioned that quirk to me. Apparently he has quite a piano technology database stored in his head.
Another view of the rim
2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004
Comments
I welcome your comments. You do NOT need to sign in to leave a comment. If you create an account and sign in, my comment system will notify you of replies to your comment. Thanks for stopping by.--Duane McGuire