Pinblock/Frame Separation

[Farrell]

> > 1) The plate is bent forward quite a bit - especially in the hi treble.
If
> > you draw a line from the pressure bar in the     high treble, extending
out
> > to the edge of the plate, this is where most of the bend occurrs (at the
> > base of the     pinblock). Question: when I draw the pinblock/plate back
to
> > its original position against the frame, do I risk         cracking the
> > plate?
> Do I understand that you believe that the plate is bent? How much? Would
> it be in a smooth curve from bottom to top? I thought plates were cast
> iron and wouldn't survive being bent - creased essentially. I've had the
> good fortune to only have done this repair once, so I'm with you - I'd
> be concerned.
> >
Yes, as I indicated "If you draw a line from the pressure bar in the high
treble, extending out to the edge of the plate, this is where most of the
bend occurrs (at the base of the pinblock). The whole area of the plate,
behind which lies the pinblock, is bent forward so that the base of the
pinblock is in contact with the back framing and the top of the pinblock is
separated from the frame along the entire length of the piano by a good (or
rather scary!  :-o) half-inch. The bend is along a band across the entire
plate, with the bent band only about one inch wide. That is why I am
concerned about CRAAAAAAAAAAAACCCCCCKKKKKK!!!!! (although none is apparent
now).  I'll keep you posted. I already warned the piano owner that it
appeared that there is some chance of the plate cracking - but that it is no
good as it is now. (none of the dampers lift from the strings because the
strings are so far forward!)

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Daniel Jackson" <tunemwell@rcn.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2000 1:35 AM
Subject: Re: Pinblock/Frame Separation


> Farrell wrote:
> :
> >
> > 1) The plate is bent forward quite a bit - especially in the hi treble.
If
> > you draw a line from the pressure bar in the     high treble, extending
out
> > to the edge of the plate, this is where most of the bend occurrs (at the
> > base of the     pinblock). Question: when I draw the pinblock/plate back
to
> > its original position against the frame, do I risk         cracking the
> > plate?
> Do I understand that you believe that the plate is bent? How much? Would
> it be in a smooth curve from bottom to top? I thought plates were cast
> iron and wouldn't survive being bent - creased essentially. I've had the
> good fortune to only have done this repair once, so I'm with you - I'd
> be concerned.
> >
> > 3) There are broken chunks of wood (big splinters, etc.) debris lying
> > between the pinblock back and the frame     front.  I feel the
> > need to get this stuff out before repairing . All I can think of is
> > coathanger technology. Anybody have any     better ideas????
> With a half inch gap you can get a small vacuum nozzle down there. It
> wouldn't be hard to rig up a tube to the nozzle and suck it all out. Or
> you could blow it out.
> > 4) How long does this entire repair take you to complete
> Don't forget the return tune after the pitch raise.
> Dan J in Wmbg VA
>