Billings Flanges = Brass Rail

[Clyde Hollinger]

Keith and all,

Well, I guess what I meant is that in the repairs I did using brass rail
repair clips, the permanence of the repair was unpredictable,
particularly when there wasn't much of a stub left to work with.  And
there is the possibility that I didn't do it right.  These clips come
with no instructions, but the hammer wouldn't stay put, and I had to keep
doing callbacks to space the hammer because it would hang up on a
neighbor.  I hate doing any kind of work that I can't guarantee.

Another factor to consider is this.  If one brass rail tooth breaks, how
long will it be until another one goes?  My opinion is to either fix the
problem correctly with a whole new rail (and I agree there may be a few
pianos where this is reasonable), or ditch the piano.  Unfortunately, my
opinions are not always smart, although I like to think they are. <G>

Regards,
Clyde

Keith McGavern wrote:

> At 8:48 PM -0400 6/2/03, Clyde Hollinger wrote:
> >I agree with Terry.  These cheap repairs sometimes work and
> >sometimes they don't. ...
>
> Clyde,
>
> I'm certain you mean well, but these repairs are far from cheap, as I
> am interpreting your connotation to mean "of decidedly inferior
> quality", which they aren't, and not cheap as in "low in price",
> which they are.
>
> When performed correctly, these inexpensive repair items work just
> fine and do offer the chance to save an instrument from being
> discarded, as you have suggested to Terry F. these people do by
> replacing their current piano with another.
>
> The repair type brass devices are ingenious in their purpose and
> design, and are invaluable in the piano service repair business when
> needed.
>
> Please know that there can come a time when there are more of the
> flanges to repair than might be deemed reasonable or cost efficient,
> but that time becomes a judgement factor for the piano technician
> and/or customer to make.
>
> A fellow named Earl Penisten, my Dad, Clair McGavern and I have taken
> care of a one hundred year old Packard Upright for four decades of
> its life that is in exquisite shape for its age, and it is definitely
> worth repairing with the brass repair parts when that time comes. The
> customer, deceased as of 2001, bought the piano directly from Packard
> in 1905. I have yet to learn of its new whereabouts.
>
> Keith McGavern