Rim Construction

[Farrell]

Thanks Ron, that is about all I was looking for. In my next 7,283 posts, we
can cover the rest of the things! One additional item related to this is why
the predominance of maple as opposed to oak (red or white). I don't have
tech specs for either, but most all oaks are seemingly not too far from
steel! And I do realize oak has been used in rim/framing in the past. But
why sooooo much maple. Is it that maple is harder? Or is it that maple is
considered hard enough, but still workable. Does it take glue better? I have
used oak (white only - red rots) extensively in marine applications and it
bends quite easily (with a little heat) and works well with epoxy. Just
curious. Any thoughts?

I did not realize that some pianos were built with hardwood block rims. I
take it the design is similar to Bosendorfer or Bechstein with their spruce
blocks, i.e. rectangular block with long axis vertical, edge glued with a
couple laminations on inner side and outside?

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

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ron Nossaman" <RNossaman@KSCABLE.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 31, 2000 9:22 AM
Subject: Re: Rim Construction


> >How about other North American manufacturers in the past? Are old Mason &
> >Hamlin laminated hard maple? What is the nature of 1890 to 1930 Knabe, A.
B.
> >Chase, Chickering, Henry F. Miller, and other "good" manufacturer's rim
> >construction? Of course, I am not looking for specifics of each model,
but
> >rather generalities. I know nothing of these rims. Anyone?
> >
> >Terry Farrell
>
>
> Masons are maple laminate, and I think Knabes came both laminated, and
> block. From a performance standpoint, there doesn't seem to be a real
> difference between laminated and built up block rims, as long as it's a
> good hardwood. Rigid and massive is the intent, with a heavy maple belly
> rail ideally, and lots of bracing. I have no idea how spruce rims work.
>
> Now, about the other 7,283 things that make a good piano...
>
> Ron N
>