This is a multi-part message in MIME format. ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment "We discovered the problems when we tried to move the piano away from = the wall, but only the top half moved." Good golly man, this is priceless. Is there video available? I wish I = could have been there! ROFL! "My first reaction was to send it to the dump." I'm sure some wise person has said: "trust your instincts!" (Just had to = say that. ;-) "The case sides are two parts: a short vertical side from floor to the = bottom of the keydesk..." I trust you mean keybed? "...and horizontal sides from the keydesk to the top and from the back = to the front of the keyslip." Horizontal sides? This is where you loose me. How can a side be = horizontal? Sounds more like a top or bottom. Got a photo? I just can't = picture what you are describing. I know that some of those older Wurlies = had some pretty bizarre cases. If we are talking about some normal-ish-type sides, bonding them back in = position with epoxy can be a good approach. I have done this using pipe = clamps. Don't worry about bending the clamps because with epoxy bonding, = you only need to hold the thing in position - you don't really need any = clamping pressure for the epoxy's sake - only enough to place and hold = the part in position. I'd be a bit nervous about epoxying sides onto a piano in someone's home = - no doubt it can be done, but I don't think I would want to do it - = just too much chance for a big expensive mess. Terry Farrell > Hello list.=20 >=20 > I need some advice on an unusual (for me) repair. New > customer called about a piano that came with the house > they just purchased. It is a 1954 Wurlitzer spinet > with naugahyde top and sides. The case sides are two > parts: a short vertical side from floor to the bottom > of the keydesk, and horizontal sides from the keydesk > to the top and from the back to the front of the > keyslip. =20 >=20 > The glue joints on both of the upper, horizontal sides > have separated from the back frame. The entire > keyboard and action are floating, resting on top of > the lower sides, which appear to remain solidly glued, > and the spindly little spinet legs in front. >=20 > We discovered the problems when we tried to move the > piano away from the wall, but only the top half moved. >=20 >=20 > My first reaction was to send it to the dump. But > closer inspection revealed a very clean instrument, > with excellent pinblock and bridge condition, clean > felt, and excellent case appearance. The only thing > wrong with it is the case separation. =20 >=20 > I have read discussions in the archives about > spreading the sides, inserting epoxy, and using pipe > clamps to reattach the sides to the back. I think > folks have also used pipe clamps across the front to > keep the sides parallel. Do I need to worry about > this if the keydesk is still holding the sides > together in front? =20 >=20 > I intend to bid doing the work in the client's home, > since the cost of a move to/from my shop would > probably exceed the value of the instrument, combined > with the actual repair. =20 >=20 > Please help me with my check list: >=20 > 1. Gather long clamps and other heavy duty tools, work > table, (tilter?) > 2. Spread double layer dropcloth (fabric over plastic) > to catch excess epoxy. > 3. Remove action, any removable case parts. Keys. > Keyframe? > 4. Slide sides and keydesk forward, away from > remainder of piano and sand off old glue from sides > and back. > 5. Paint on very thin epoxy to both surfaces, letting > it soak in. > 6. Slide the sides back on and squeeze in thick epoxy > pastry-bag style? Push it in with a thin blade? > Other? > 7. Pad the naugahyde sides with 2x4 blocks and clamp > across the back with three or four pipe clamps. > 8. Clean up and leave. > 9. Come back next day and remove clamps, reinstall > action, basic regulation as needed. >=20 > Did I forget anything? Do I need deep-reach pipe > clamps? Should I use wedge-shaped 2x4 blocks to > compensate for pipe clamp arching? Are 3/4 inch pipe > clamps sufficient? Am I nuts for even thinking about > it, or is this "something we do every day, ma'am"? >=20 > 8 hours total? 4? 16? >=20 > Any tricks for alignment? =20 >=20 > Thanks,=20 > Greg Graham > Graham Piano Service > Brodheadsville, PA >=20 >=20 >=20 >=20 > __________________________________=20 > Do you Yahoo!?=20 > Yahoo! Mail - You care about security. So do we.=20 > http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail > _______________________________________________ > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives > ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/00/94/34/5a/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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