In a message dated 99-05-25 23:40:23 EDT, you write: << I'd still back out the bolt until there is contact. I'd figure that whatever caused the give in the first place is probably not finished. Del >> Hi Del, Tom, Mike and Ron and aeveryone else kind enough to help me out Yeah, I couldn't resist not turning that bolt out. The gap did close a bit before I snugged it up, though. So instead of a pre-tension gap of 3/16, it (had) a gap of about 3/32 or less. Sort of meeting in the middle, I guess. Chipping commences tomorrow...wish me luck! BTW Del, the metal plate is attached to a 2 1/2 " thick belly bar, and on the top edge of this sits the soundboard (unlike the Steinway design shown in Mason's "Piano Parts", page 25. In other words, this Schaaf piano has the horn stress at a location nearer the soundboard surface. It would be hitting part number 16, the cross beam, in the illustration). There is also 3 1/2" of this belly bar (with the metal plate) hanging over the damper tray; perhaps this could have bent or got crushed under the string pressure and when the tension was released, a gap showed up at the bolt contact point. Just a thought. Anyone buy that?
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