Unusual brass rail problem

[David ilvedson]

Tom,

What a pain!  It seems to me the bushing cloth rail above the 
pins could be removed then tap pins as per usual.  I don't 
suppose you could talk the dentist into retrofitting to Renner 
butts & shanks.  

David Ilvedson


Date sent:      	Sun, 28 Feb 1999 18:08:11 -0700
From:           	Tom Cole <tcole@cruzio.com>
To:             	pianotech@ptg.org
Subject:        	Unusual brass rail problem
Send reply to:  	pianotech@ptg.org

> For years I've tuned a 1902 Kimball upright that was rebuilt by another
> tech about 15 years ago. The brass rail was left original with several
> repair clips affixed thereto but the owner was warned of subsequent
> finger breakage down the road. I wondered why the rail wasn't replaced
> when breakage was already obvious. What's another few hundred dollars to
> a successful dentist? The piano is a family heirloom and the case was
> nicely restored.
> 
> Recently, yet another hammer came loose and I suggested that maybe now
> was the time to do the proper repair. They agreed and the action is now
> sitting in my shop with hammers and dampers removed, the brittle brass
> having been sent off to be duplicated.
> 
> Thursday morning, 6 AM, I got a call from Kathy at Schaff. I was about
> to be enlightened. "Sorry, we do not duplicate double brass rails."
> Oh...
> 
> At that time in the morning, I was at a loss for a response to that
> piece of information except to have her send them back. I've been toying
> since with the idea that I'll either make my own duplicates or search
> for a machinist who is willing.
> 
> Anyone know of someone who is set up to do this kind of ticklish work?
> Schaff's machine duplicates single-sided only.
> 
> BTW, the balance rail area of the keys is unusual in that the balance
> pins, which are held tightly in the keys, slip into felt bushed slots in
> a rail which hovers over the balance pins. And I have no idea how you
> square the keys.
> 
> Tom
> -- 
> Thomas A. Cole, RPT
> Santa Cruz, CA
> mailto:tcole@cruzio.com
> 
> 


David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA
ilvey@jps.net