Billings Flanges = Brass Rail

[John Ross]

Hi Clyde,
Rather than the repair clips, it is much better to use the repair flange. It
is more trouble to put in, but does a superior job.
Sometimes the customer cannot afford, a full rail replacement.
Regards,
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Clyde Hollinger" <cedel@supernet.com>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 03, 2003 7:44 AM
Subject: Re: Billings Flanges = Brass Rail


> Keith and all,
>
> Well, I guess what I meant is that in the repairs I did using brass rail
> repair clips, the permanence of the repair was unpredictable,
> particularly when there wasn't much of a stub left to work with.  And
> there is the possibility that I didn't do it right.  These clips come
> with no instructions, but the hammer wouldn't stay put, and I had to keep
> doing callbacks to space the hammer because it would hang up on a
> neighbor.  I hate doing any kind of work that I can't guarantee.
>
> Another factor to consider is this.  If one brass rail tooth breaks, how
> long will it be until another one goes?  My opinion is to either fix the
> problem correctly with a whole new rail (and I agree there may be a few
> pianos where this is reasonable), or ditch the piano.  Unfortunately, my
> opinions are not always smart, although I like to think they are. <G>
>
> Regards,
> Clyde
>
> Keith McGavern wrote:
>
> > At 8:48 PM -0400 6/2/03, Clyde Hollinger wrote:
> > >I agree with Terry.  These cheap repairs sometimes work and
> > >sometimes they don't. ...
> >
> > Clyde,
> >
> > I'm certain you mean well, but these repairs are far from cheap, as I
> > am interpreting your connotation to mean "of decidedly inferior
> > quality", which they aren't, and not cheap as in "low in price",
> > which they are.
> >
> > When performed correctly, these inexpensive repair items work just
> > fine and do offer the chance to save an instrument from being
> > discarded, as you have suggested to Terry F. these people do by
> > replacing their current piano with another.
> >
> > The repair type brass devices are ingenious in their purpose and
> > design, and are invaluable in the piano service repair business when
> > needed.
> >
> > Please know that there can come a time when there are more of the
> > flanges to repair than might be deemed reasonable or cost efficient,
> > but that time becomes a judgement factor for the piano technician
> > and/or customer to make.
> >
> > A fellow named Earl Penisten, my Dad, Clair McGavern and I have taken
> > care of a one hundred year old Packard Upright for four decades of
> > its life that is in exquisite shape for its age, and it is definitely
> > worth repairing with the brass repair parts when that time comes. The
> > customer, deceased as of 2001, bought the piano directly from Packard
> > in 1905. I have yet to learn of its new whereabouts.
> >
> > Keith McGavern
>
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