Piano benches

[Danny Boone]

Another thing you can do to strengthen piano benches is to knock the thin
masonite bottom out and attach the lid permanently to the sides with six
corner braces (hardware store), 2 on each side.  Leave the bottom off; its not
necessary.

Rather than broken benches, our problem has been more with benches being moved
from practice room to practice room.  Before I solved this problem, there were
always a few rooms without benches and a few with several benches.  So, I
chained each bench to its piano with lightweight chain, and have never had a
problem since.  I use screws with square-recessed heads, and a chain long
enough to be out of the way and also to allow the bench to be placed on top of
verticals (for moving).

For adjustable benches with worn-out bearings:  these bearings can be
purchased from Paul L. Jansen & Sons, or from your local bearing supply.  I
have purchased mine from Purvis Bearing Co. here in Waco for many years before
I knew that I could get them from Jansen.

Danny L. Boone, RPT
Baylor University