Rippon piano--plastic action

[Thomas C. Cobble]

>One of my customers has a Rippon piano made in Ireland with an all plastic
>action.  There are no screws securing the parts.  The hammer flange  is
>simply forced into the rail.  The problem is that some of them are jumping
out.
>When they come out one finds two pieces in the bottom of the rail:  a little
>plastic piece and a metal strip.  Obviously these are meant to secure the
>part in the rail.  In the time I had available I was not able to figure out
>how to put them back.  I finally had to leave my disappointed customer for
>another appointment.   This customer is manager of a tea estate in a remote
>part of the former South African homeland of Transkei.  I'll not be able to
>return there for some time but when I do I would like to be able to rectify
>the problem.  Any suggestions as to  how to put them back?   Why are they
>coming out?  I don't know if these pianos are/have been sold in the USA.
>
>Gary Isaac
>Umtata, South Africa
>

   Gary:  I had an oppertunity to work extensively on one of those "PSO"
(piano shaped objects) a number of years ago. It makes me almost ashamed to
call myself Irish-American. In our careers we sometimes get a chanch to
experience older piano models with some interesting variations, and
sometimes departures from the Standard technology with which we work..  Like
Darwin and his theory, there are reasons some species don't survive, and go
extinct.. Because they don't work.. is usually the reason.

In all fairness I would suggest that you inform your customer as
professionally as you can that it's time to get another piano because this
one will never work right no matter what you do.....

Sorry... Tom Cobble