Replacing bad hammer butt and catcher leather on a Baldwin 243

Рет қаралды 8,389

8 жыл бұрын

I bought this piano a few years ago and didn't realize what I was getting into. I noticed the clicking in the action but thought it was something simple like a loose hammer/action screw/etc. Turned out Baldwin used a synthetic material that hardened up after several years which meant the jack was noisy against the hammer butt, and the catchers/backchecks wouldn't work properly. This was easy enough to do, but took a long time to finish. I still have to regulate the action now. I hope this video helps someone else. -j Consider supporting this channel on patreon: / heavypiano

Пікірлер: 33

@johnnasta 11 ай бұрын

Thanks for the video. This was a very clear and thorough explanation. I need to do this to my 1927 Gulbransen upright. Looks like it's a lot of work to do every key.

@gristlevonraben 6 жыл бұрын

I just bought a baldwin acrosonic 1953 spinet for $30 at a Goodwill store, and it's going to need so much work. I've never worked on a piano, and don't know how to play one. I'm going to have to learn so much. Thanks!

@triumphantmusicgroupandpro4487 5 жыл бұрын

I have the same piano. This video will help.

@ArielLlama 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for showing clear images of how to remove the jack and hammer assemblies. It's a simple thing, once you know it, but I was having a bit of a time finding out how. I managed to use your info, and other bits elsewhere to lubricate a sticky key with alcohol and water.

@heavypiano 3 жыл бұрын

I've found so much helpful information online, just trying to help others as well.

@TheAnetmusik 2 жыл бұрын

Superb video! Excellent description and great camera angles! Your playing is sublime. Thank you!

@ryancarey2041 3 жыл бұрын

Very informative, and real nice playing at the end!

@heavypiano 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Ryan. Appreciate it!

@londonposh6846 7 жыл бұрын

Awesome! With all and piano Playing! Thanks and Cheers!

@namenaim1560 2 жыл бұрын

Excellent so clear what you did. Thanks.

@MauricioRodriguez-cl1jc 5 жыл бұрын

Great video. Thanks.

@saveriosalerno9232 7 жыл бұрын

Grandissimo video..COMPLIMENT!!!

@StevenCoolidge 7 жыл бұрын

I think it might be better to put the smooth nap down for jack movement, 1)so the jack won't slip out inadvertently or "cheat", and 2) so it can slide back into place unimpeded. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

@heavypiano 7 жыл бұрын

Steven, I followed nap direction suggestions from Steve Howard-there's a helpful video he has on his youtube channel about replacing buckskin leather on uprights. Mario Igrec also recommends in Pianos Inside Out (pg. 341): "when replacing leather on vertical hammer butts, install it so it is smooth away from the flange"

@saadalhumaid3959 5 жыл бұрын

My upright piano making clicking sound today wish you near my location to ask u fix it

@ArmyofOneandaHalf 8 жыл бұрын

Such fun! What's the song you're playing throughout?

@heavypiano 8 жыл бұрын

Thanks! I'm improvising over some changes, just a little tune based on a C, Ab back and forth.

@MrEzplay 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video, this is going to help me a lot, I have the same issue here, same piano 😅, can you tell me where can I get the leather and felt and sizes please, thank you! Very appreciated

@heavypiano 2 жыл бұрын

You're welcome. I got my replacement leather from www.howardpianoindustries.com/

@emilykomitsky3616 2 жыл бұрын

@@heavypiano How many rolls of each the butt leather and catcher leather did you need for your piano? I have the same piano and want to know how much to order of each. Great video! Thank you for sharing.

@tiffanyduke7856 6 жыл бұрын

Do you use an upright action cradle when you work on the Baldwin Hamilton or is it not necessary?

@heavypiano 6 жыл бұрын

I have a home-made action cradle that the action rests on but I'd like to get a better one that locks the action in place.

@dasi66 6 жыл бұрын

how many hours did it take to do the job.? I'm facing the same problem on my Baldwin 243. It's a real pity Baldwin used this synthetic material.

@heavypiano 6 жыл бұрын

David, I don't know but it took awhile. Maybe 10-20 hours of work? I had to learn as I went, it definitely went faster as I got more used to working with the parts. I spread it out over several days though so it didn't seem so daunting of a task. Well worth the time and effort though! The clicking was driving me nuts.

@gregcurran8809 4 жыл бұрын

I'm looking at a Baldwin 243 to purchase. Does anyone know the exact years this synthetic was used?

@heavypiano 4 жыл бұрын

Based on some googling it seems 60-80s. I've played on newer 90s 243s that didn't have this issue.

@fornamnefternamn4869 5 жыл бұрын

I was adviced to use contact adhesive when changeing catcher leather. Would that be ok? It was my piano mechanic that told me so I hope it is correct. Can the same be used on the felt on the backcheck?

@heavypiano 5 жыл бұрын

I think either hide glue or PVC-E glue is generally recommended for piano parts, I don't know about contact adhesive, sorry. Maybe ask on the pianoworld forums?

@fornamnefternamn4869 5 жыл бұрын

@@heavypiano thank you for your answer. I can't find any PVC-e glue :( only such as Tangit PVC-U (which, I guess, is not at all the same).

@heavypiano 5 жыл бұрын

@@fornamnefternamn4869 I bought mine from www.howardpianoindustries.com/ but maybe they can't ship to you?

@dominicinferrera2477 4 жыл бұрын

Here's the thing with contact adhesive: once it's done, it's very hard to reverse or replace. PVC glue is a bit better, but for preserving the legacy of rebuilding and repairing instruments, hide glue is easily removable without having to scrape or sand parts. It will break down with a damp, hot rag. And now you can get hide glue in bottles without having to cook crystals in a pot.

@StevenCoolidge 7 жыл бұрын

Also the nap on the backcheck should be the other way, so the backcatch can slide into place. And why do you need to remove the wippen? I mean, maybe the action needs other repairs, but that's unrelated. Sorry to be a fussbudget. Thanks for posting.

@heavypiano 7 жыл бұрын

I installed the backcheck leather with the nap down so it would catch better as the backcheck and catcher lined up, following the information I found in Steve Howard's video. I removed the wippen to make it easier to get at all the parts, but I suppose you could also perform these repairs without doing that.