Apart at the Seams--BALDWIN'S RECOMENDED FIX

[Ron May, RPT]

This is a multi-part message in MIME format.

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment
Evidently Baldwin had an on going problem with this separation at a =
certain point with their verticals.

A few years ago I ran into this same problem and thought since the piano =
was bairly out of warranty their may be a chance of their honoring a =
claim.  I should have known better but it was worth a try.  They sent me =
their recomended repair procedure for thisa problem as follows:

BALDWIN REPAIR PROCEDURE FOR SEPARATION IN PINBLOCK/BACKPOST ASSEMBLY

1.    Remove action from the piano.   DUH

2.   Create a uniform mark along the back of the piano to coincide with =
the screw line along the top of the plate/tuning pin area in the front.

3.    Remove only one screw at a time for repair.  This prevents the =
need for lessening the tension on the strings thus making a more stable =
tuning after repair completion.

4.    Starting with the lowest bass screw, remove the screw and drill a =
hole into the pinbnlock area from the rack aiming toward the empty screw =
hole.  As                                the drill hits the existing =
hole there will be a tendency to self guide through the plate hole.

5.    Choose a carriage bolt with an excess length sufficient to accept =
a lock washer and acorn nut.  For additional spacing, a flat washer may =
be used.

6.    Force glue into the area relative to the replaced screw.  Insert =
the carriage bolt from the back of the piano though the plate.  Install =
the lock washer and tighten.

7.    Remove excess glue from top and repeat above procedure for each =
screw.

8.     It is recommended to replace all the screws along the top of the =
plate to insure the longevity of the repair.

        Material Needed:    8" long 5/16" diameter drill bit
                                    5/16" diameter carriage bolts (1 for =
each screw removed)
                                    5/16" flat washers
                                    5/16 lock washers
                                    5/16" acorn nuts   (hex nuts may be =
used through not as attractive)

My repair went fine although I didn't follow all of Baldwin's =
suggestions.  I did loosen the tension in the piano and I used epoxy. =
Last I checked it was still up to pitch.

Sooo, If you don't like their repair procedure, don't call me----call =
"Gibson"


----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Michael Spalding=20
  To: Pianotech=20
  Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 10:54 PM
  Subject: RE: Apart at the Seams


  Dave,

  I just finished a repair on a similar Baldwin this week.   This one =
had a drop action, serial number put it around 1964.  Backposts and =
spacer blocks light gage softwood, and the damage was about what you =
described.  Started by droppping pitch by turning each pin 30 degrees.  =
Then used clamps (Pony pipe clamps) to close up the separation as much =
as possible.  The separation did not close completely, I'd say there was =
still about .10" gap at the two worst backposts.  Drilled through for =
bolts, I use 5/16 x 6" flat-head machine screws from boltdepot.com.  =
Becasue of the severe separation, and the less-than-substantial design, =
I also drilled and dowelled the pinblock to the backposts.  Start the =
drill at the top front of the pinblock, right behind the plate.  Aim the =
drill downward about 30 degrees below horizontal ( try not to hit any =
tuning pins).    Poured a bunch of West System epoxy into the voids. ! I =
usually drill downward into the cracks with a 1/8" drill every inch or =
two to make a channel for the epoxy to get down into the bottom of the =
crack, but for much of this piano that wasn't necessary.  Eventually it =
stopped drinking epoxy, and I went away to let it cure over the weekend. =
  Pitch-raise and tuning yesterday indicate that the piano is very stiff =
and stable, at least for now.  Only time will tell how permanent the =
condition will be.

  hope this helps

  Mike


    ----- Original Message -----=20
    From: Dave Bunch=20
    To: pianotech@ptg.org
    Sent: 6/2/2004 4:42:24 PM=20
    Subject: Apart at the Seams


    Hello all;

    Being called to tune Baldwin vertical today, I came across a good =
reason NOT to tune the piano today.

    Not sure of the model, it was not a 243. It was close to console =
height with a studio size action and keys built lower at the rear to =
compensate for the difference. First thing I noticed were hammers =
sitting way up off the hammer rail. Then noticed that the piano was not =
only a half step flat but very unevenly flat. Then I noticed some =
splintered wood behind the felt covering the pinblock. I peeled back =
some felt and found that the top of the piano had pulled away from the =
second and third back posts from the treble end. The top of the posts =
were protruding out the back a good third of an inch. I sighted down the =
top front edge of the plate and could see a prominent bulge forward in =
the area consistent with the damage.

    I have done several repairs on old verticals where the pinblock is =
gaping open. Fill it with glue and put long bolts all the way through as =
substitutes for the plate bolts, but this is different. Is there a good, =
permanent repair for this? The piano is only 15 years old. Anyone seen =
this? The posts struck me as being very light weight.

    Dave Bunch
---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/01/83/75/ab/attachment.htm

---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--