[pianotech] Re Green piano bridge repair with carpet tacks

[johnparham at piano88.com]

Doug,

Do you have any pictures of these tacks after you installed them?  I
think I can imagine what it looks like, but a picture always cinches it
for me.

-John Parham

> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [pianotech] Re Green piano bridge repair with carpet tacks
> From: Douglas Gregg <classicpianodoc at gmail.com>
> Date: Thu, November 11, 2010 11:03 pm
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> 
> 
> I have had two bridge repairs fail. Granted, in both cases there was a
> crack connecting the pins allowing a lot of movement. I used 2 ton
> epoxy with one with no filler added. The other was repaired with PC 11
> filled epoxy. However, if I used a filled epoxy again I would use JB
> weld that contains iron filings. It would have to be wormed up a bit
> to get good penetration.
> 
> My point is (pun intended) that if you use the carpet tacks with the
> head removed as steel wedges, it works really slick. You don't even
> have to take all the tension off the string. I push the steel wedge
> shaped tack in next to the pin with pliers and finish by tapping it in
> with a punch until it is flush. If it does not move over enough, use a
> second one. It is so tight at that point that you can use any glue you
> want or none at all. You have to try it to see how neatly it works. It
> is a lot less messy and you don't have to tip the piano on its back
> either. I little CA glue would be fine and would wick in around the
> tack if you are worried about it moving.
> 
> This is how I have repaired several bridges and it takes about 10
> minutes. Can't beat that. Five minutes to put in the tacks and 5
> minutes for CA or 5 minute epoxy. A few minutes to retune.
> 
> Doug Gregg
> Classic Piano Doc
> Southold, NY 11971