[pianotech] unusual lyre joint

[Mike Spalding]

David,

Thanks for the confirmation.  "Used properly" means what, exactly?  Do 
the tapered dowels stay in place on their own once tapped home?  Does it 
matter that the post shoulders are not contacting the top block, or does 
the system rely on the lyre braces for rigidity?  This piano has the 
brass braces which attach with two screws at each end.

thanks

Mike

On 12/12/2011 6:55 PM, David Stocker wrote:
>
> Unlike some of the wimps on these lists, I have moved hundreds of 
> pianos. I have seen this kind of lyre a half-dozen times on very small 
> grands. When used properly, it is a simple and elegant way to remove a 
> pedal lyre. Unfortunately, I don't think I've seen a one of them that 
> wasn't goobered up by a mover or DIY. Hopefully, you can get it solid 
> again.
>
>
> David Stocker, RPT
> Tumwater, WA
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Mike Spalding
> Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 13:39
> To: Pianotech
> Subject: [pianotech] unusual lyre joint
>
> I brought home a Kimball lyre to repair:  loose joints, top and bottom.
> The lower joints (post to pedal box) were more or less conventional
> round tenons, on which the epoxy is currently curing.  The top joint is
> one I've never seen in a piano before.  Did I mention the piano is a
> former player?  Anyway, the post has a square tenon which fits very
> loosely into a 3-sided mortice in the top block, and is secured with a
> tapered dowel.  Well, it was at one time.  The tapered dowels had been
> replaced with steel machine screws, so the whole thing was really
> floppy.  I roughed out a couple of tapered dowels and fitted them in the
> holes, and I'm not satisfied with the way the joint fits together.  The
> main problem is that with the dowels in place, the top block is held
> almost 2mm above the shoulders of the posts.  I'm considering whether to
> plug and re-drill the dowel holes in the posts, or build up the block to
> meet the shoulders.  I'm also considering drilling out the tapered holes
> and using a straight dowel.  Anybody ever seen this joint before?  Any
> insights or free advice?
>
> thanks
>
> Mike