vintage chickering plate removal

[William R. Monroe]

Guess I'm a naive optimist.  I think that there would be great satisfaction
in rebuilding/restoring something of this nature.  Certainly it would not be
without challenges that go beyond those of a 20th century piano.  But, I
guess I'm a sucker for something new in that respect, something challenging
in a different way.  Maybe it ends up just frustrating, but I'm willing to
take a chance on that one.  I'll have to have another look at this one
before I commit.  I appreciate the input, however, points well taken.

Regards,
William R. Monroe

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Steve Ganz" <steveganz at mailaka.net>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, March 28, 2006 4:42 PM
Subject: Re: vintage chickering plate removal


> The Chickering I saw had a full parameter plate that was on all 4 sides
> mortised into the rim.  Judging from the plate screws that poked out
> from under the mortise, I'd say that the plate was under the rim about 1
> inch.  Breaking apart the inner rim would be no real problem.  Just an
> afternoon with a chisel and a router.  Making it look like I had never
> done this was a different problem.  I'm sure it could be done.  Find the
> right veneer, glue the inner rim up in strips, clamp it all together,
> veneer and finish to match.  Figure about 2 days of problems you don't
> anticipate and I'd be surprised if you had less than 50 hrs in the job.
> This is on top of a major rebuild.  The pin block is also mortised in.
> Taking apart the inner rim would make this job easier, but still about 4
> times as long as just making a normal block.  At this point the job is
> getting quite expensive.  The real question is, what do you have when
> you are done?  An 1850 Chickering.  Better to buy some lesser known
> larger piano from 1900-20 and rebuild it.  Less time, less money,
> greater satisfaction.  If you really want the case, find one built in
> the 80's and 90's.  Plenty of rosewood from that era.
>
>
>