Broken Action Bracket Repair

[Robert Goodale]

Tim Keenan & Rebecca Counts wrote:
> 
> I came across a situation the other day which I have not encountered
> before.  I went to tune a 1910 or so Heintzman full-size upright (or
> vertical as you Americans say) and found both of the end action brackets
> broken off below where they attach to the action.  

<snip>

> I wonder what advice you might have as to the best repair. My first
> inclination was brazing, but I thought that epoxy might be easier and
> safer. 

<snip>

> All suggestions gratefully accepted--especially from those who have
> successfully completed such a repair and had it last!


I once had a broken action bracket in a cable console. I made the repair
by silver-soldering the two pieces together. Aligning the two parts
together perfectly during this proceedure proved to be the most
challenging task. Otherwise you may find that the screw holes may not
line up correctly when you reassemble things. A generous amount of heat
from a propane blow-tourch is required, since the bulk of the metal
makes an excellent heat sink and draws all your heat away. You will need
to get things hot enough to melt the solder well and create a reliable
bond to the parts, but not so hot that you risk weakening another part
of the bracket, or so hot that the solder runs off befor it has time to
cool and set. A good quality solder flux is also required. Once cooled
down, I ground the repair area down to smooth the repair out, and
sprayed on a new coat of paint. Once completed, the pair was invisable
and strong.

Good Luck.

Rob Goodale, RPT