[pianotech] plate lags, (was persistent customer)

[Delwin D Fandrich]

...and if that rim was made with Select Hardwood it won't be too many years down
that those lags won't be holding anything at all.
 
ddf


  _____  

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
Geoff Sykes
Sent: December 29, 2008 9:01 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] plate lags, (was persistent customer)


Since this point it a remnant from my original post I feel comfortable
contributing my two cents. Personally, whenever I get called to service a piano
for the first time I will automatically check and tighten the plate perimeter
bolts and the pin block bolts. I then make note of it in my records and
generally don't give them a second thought on subsequent visits. Every couple of
years I check them again, and if they need tightening, I tighten them.
Weather/humidity causes wood to swell and shrink. Over time any screws that are
imbedded in that wood will work themselves loose as a result of this phenomena.
Keeping them tight all the time is not so important as making sure that they are
tight enough over the long haul. 
 
-- G



. Geoff Sykes, RPT
. 626-799-7545
. www.ivories52.com <http://www.ivories52.com/>  

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
A440A at aol.com
Sent: Monday, December 29, 2008 8:44 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] plate lags, (was persistent customer)



In a message dated 12/29/08 10:30:58 AM, rnossaman at cox.net writes:


> Ron, next time you fine tune a piano snug up the "plate lags" as you call
> them after you are done--and then tell me it doesn't affect stability.

And if you leave them the heck alone, it doesn't, which is the
point.



Greetings, 
   It is worth noting here that the plate bolts on most pianos will be loose in
the winter/dry period.  If you continually tighten them, they will continue to
crush wood fibers during the next humid season, and the following winter, they
will be loose again.  So, if you tighten them, continually, every winter, it
will only be a matter of time before you go a full 360 degrees, effectively
stripping the threads in the wood.  They should only be tightened in the summer,
or, if your first visit is in the winter, give them a light snug,  but don't
really torque them in. 
  this doesn't apply to the Baldwin style, since they are anchored , via metal
threads, against the iron of the plate. 
regards, 

Ed Foote RPT
http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/index.html



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