[CAUT] Sostenuto Trap Lever Repair

[G Cousins]

Paul,
Very typical for institutional piano pedal pushers.  Never heard of half pedaling. 
Glue will hold for a while. Sounds like you've covered all the bases with clamping and such.
I had to use a metal strengthening plate in the top and bottom of the lever for maximum strength.
Guess one could have a machine shop make one out of steel or, for really really hard use, titanium.
Yes, using plate support it's NOT replacement with a new part and the re-construction could exceed the price of the new part but there is the 
bureaucratic budget processes mentality to always ponder. 
Perhaps,just let it be until it breaks again and then request a replacement part. After all it IS just the sostenuto pedal.  ;)

My bet: 3 weeks into the semester or (most likely) 7:52 pm before the 
8:00 pm MAJOR showcase concert for capital campaign to build the new 
Gym/Business building. 

Wager: 132,792,500.00 ZWD
Best,
Gerry C


> Date: Wed, 11 Aug 2010 02:11:11 -0400
> From: paul at pmpiano.com
> To: caut at ptg.org
> Subject: [CAUT] Sostenuto Trap Lever Repair
> 
> Check out the attached photos of a 1970 Steinway D sostenuto trap lever
> which is cracked the long way and with the direction of stress.  Someone
> tried to repair it at some point by wrapping it with packing tape (no glue).
> 
> What are the chances of effecting a successful glue repair?  I know I've
> been told many times that a glue repair is stronger than the original wood,
> but will it really take the stress of the leverage applied by the sostenuto
> pedal along such a long break?
> 
> I just finished loading it up with Titebond and clamping tightly with an
> aluminum rail on one side for support, and a couple small clamps holding
> portions that extend to a point, etc.  Figure I'll give it 24 hours clamped,
> see what happens.  Any bets?  If it doesn't work, I guess the school will
> just have to spring for a new one.  If this piano ends up being used for
> recitals, would buying new be more reliable than a repair?
> 
> Also, the half-rounded part that interfaces with the other wooden lever
> seems to be covered with something thick and black.  Is this just old grease
> of some kind, or is there supposed to be leather there and it's
> disintegrated?
> -- 
> Paul Milesi, RPT
> Staff Piano Technician
> Howard University Department of Music
> Washington, DC
> 
 		 	   		  
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