Plate break after restringing

[Larry Fisher]

>From: Warren Fisher <fish@communique.net>
>Subject: Plate break after restringing

> in
>the process of bringing the strings up to 150 cents flat, I heard this
>loud bang and discovered a large crack in the left bottom of the plate
>where it curves around the corner from the bottom to the vertical.
>

>2. How much does plate repair cost usually?
>

As a loyal member of the Fisher clan of Planet Earth, I find myself
compelled to answer your call.

A crack in a plate at 150 cents flat is indicative of something wrong
somewhere.  It could be age related, it could be the way the plate sits in
the cabinet, it could be ..............  doesn't matter.  It's broke as
indicated by the "PROFOUND SOUND".  I found a guy here in Vancouver that
will weld a plate for me for less than dirt.  I walked into his shop.  It
smelled like a foundry.  He was doing a very difficult weld on the end of a
hydraulic ram.  No room for oops there.  He's welded lots of cast iron
pedals for other techs, as well as a plate or two, not to mention a few
engine blocks, exhaust manifolds and the like.

I can't help but think that Vancouver is a might bit far from Baton Rouge,
or the French 1/4, or where ever it was youse from.  I saw Louisianna on a
map once but I forgit which state it's in.  Anyway, my point being that if
I can find a plate melter here, you should be able to find someone there.
He didn't mention heating the entire plate.  I've heard that with the right
rod (nickel me thinks) you can arc weld these muthas back to life.  We got
lots of ship repairs in the neighborhood and I've heard they weld anything
anywhere.

As fer the rest of yer post, I'll decline getting involved.  I will,
however, from now on, put a disclaimer in every restring job I do.

My condolences to you on your loss, and I hope your pain passes quickly.
Flowers will be sent straight away.

Lar


                                    Larry Fisher RPT
   specialist in players, retrofits, and other complicated stuff
      phone 360-256-2999 or email larryf@pacifier.com
         http://www.pacifier.com/~larryf/ (revised 10/96)
           Beau Dahnker pianos work best under water