Steinway Rail Dowels

[Newton Hunt]

Hi Wim,

Carefully check that rail for splits in the brass.  If it is you will need to
solder in a new rail.

Replacing the dowel is possible but driving out the old and in the new is not as
easy as you might think.  Sometimes those things are in so tight they will not
move and pieces pulled out buy the screws will interfere with the dowel
movement.  

I found replacing the rail much easier.  Here orientation and alignment is
critical.  Pre-drill and pre-thread the holes on the drill press before mounting
the rail, this helps a lot in getting it straight.  Get a 250 or 500 watt
soldering iron or s small torch that is easily controlled for heat and
location.  I cut the old rail out close to the brackets, push out the dowel and
use the heat on the  brass only and heat it until it can be pulled out.  This
does not distort the solder in the hole.  The new one slips in and is easy to
align.

Think it through, prepare the rail and tools and the rest is straight forward.

Lots of luck.

		Newton