Tim Hendy presenting new Steinway action rail prior to installation

Replacing the Steinway Tubular Metallic Action

Steinway’s Tubular Metallic Action provides the structure to which most of the piano's moving parts are attached.

But Steinway action rails can split and warp. Tim Hendy shows how damaged rails are replaced.

Checking piano key-weighting bu lead-loading

Lead loading: Adjusting the piano key-weight

Pianos are usually designed to have an even key-weight throughout the compass.

Here Tim Hendy shows how piano key-weighting is achieved by installing lead weights and checking the desired result by lead loading.

Lead loading »

Still from video: Tim Hendy demonstrates the upright piano mechanism

Video: The Modern Upright Piano Action

Tim Hendy demonstrates the upright piano mechanism including:

actions of key, hammer, damper, damper rest rail, balance hammer, check, lever and jack, concluding with maintenance recommendations.

Watch the video »

Piano Workshop

Steinway grand piano frame, newly strung by Tim Hendy Pianos

Detail of restored and restrung Steinway frame.

What customers say:

Tim, I was extremely happy with the work you did on my Steinway grand. The piano is now performing better than it was when it first came to us twenty years ago, and has regained its phenomenal tonal qualities. This would not have been possible without your expertise. I would be happy to recommend you to anyone seeking to bring a fine instrument to the ultimate level of performance.

Dr John Kersey, Enfield

Getting social…

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Tim Hendy Pianos offers over 30 years of experience in the expert care, maintenance and restoration of Steinway and other fine grand and upright pianos.

Full reconditioning of grand and upright pianos is carried out in the Tim Hendy Pianos workshop. Services offered include:

Re-felting
Re-stringing
French polishing
Regulation and intonation
Steinway regulating/regulation
Steinway voicing/intonation/toning
Steinway action rail replacement
(see technical notes 1.0)
Weighing-up/lead-loading/touch-weight adjustment for Steinways and other makes
(see technical notes 2.0)

Restoration work is performed at the Tim Hendy Pianos workshop in southwest London for clients in London, Surrey, the South East, and worldwide. Clients are welcome to visit the workshop to observe restoration and reconditioning work on their pianos.

Specialising in the replacement of Steinway action rails

The Steinway action rail is a design patented in the late 1800s, and employed in all of the company’s iconic grand pianos ever since. Unfortunately, these rails are prone to splitting and warping, as the hardwood core can swell in high humidity, causing the inflexible outer brass tube to crack. All Steinway grands are checked for this potential fault, and measures are suggested to rectify the problem when necessary.