Drilling into Polyester

[Gene Nelson]

Hello Terry,
Thank you for the advice.
The piano is a 1913 SS-M that was rebuilt in Poland.
The poly finish happened there.
It is a very new finish and looks ok but not the best - no signs of separation that I can see.
The music desk is of the SS type that never had a hinge I believe (not certain) just the bumpers. It is possible that the rebuilders did not reinstall an existing hinge and covered up the holes - I have no way of knowing.
As the owner is a teacher she loads the desk up fairly heavy with music books etc. She not only wants one hinge - she wants two. I cannot talk her out of it.
Gene
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Farrell 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Sent: Monday, November 13, 2006 1:47 PM
  Subject: Re: Drilling into Polyester


  I've not drilled into a polyester-finished piano, however, I do have a fair bit of experience with polyester in general. IF the ploy is well adhered to the wood substrate, you should have no problems at all - you should be able to drill, mark with a punch, etc. 

  HOWEVER, if the ploy finish was not properly applied and/or is not adhering real well to the wood, yeah, you could have all sorts of troubles arise.

  Of course, unless you see hunks of finish falling off the piano elsewhere, it is difficult to tell whether the ploy/wood bond is good.

  IMHO, you might want to consider having the piano owner sign a disclaimer form that releases you of all liability related to the ploy finish. I'm sure an appropriate lawyer could spit something simple out in just a few minutes.

  Gotta ask..... why does the owner want a mea-hinge on a pretty piano (except, of course, for the high gloss polyester finish!)? Is the old one broke? Music shelf damaged already?
    ----- Original Message ----- 

    Hello list,
    Have a client that wants the 9"x1" hinge installed on the music rack - it originally never had one " 
    The piano has a high gloss polyester finish along with some very fancy veneer on the music shelf.
    Drilling into poly makes me a bit nervous - never did it before, expecially in such a visible area of the piano - 
    Is there a technique that someone uses to dimple the spot to drill so that the poly will not split, or to prevent the dirll bit from wandering? Accuracy is a must.
    Regards,
    Gene Nelson
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