> /*Question:*/ There are some screws in a row through the top of the > plate (smaller than and separate from the regular plate screws and > bolts). I think taking these out will facilitate removing the lid but I > fear the lid is also heavily glued and am wondering ... how can you > "ruin" old case glue (probably hide or fish) when it is under a thick > board (back of the lid) that we do not want to crack? Or, more simply > put, how do ya take this sucker apart??? > > > Alan Barnard Caveat: Not being there to look at it and make my own erroneous observations/conclusions, I'll frame my thoughts within yours. While I don't think I remember ever seeing screws through the plate having to do with the lid, I'd start there in case "getting lucky" happened to be up on the wheel. When that fails, I'd attack the lid with a paring chisel and a pry bar, in the spirit of exploratory surgery. A significant part of a technician's job is, after all, breaking things so (s)he can fix them afterward and be a hero. If/when you find a separated back, you are in a very good position, having their piano torn up at that point, to sell them a conditional fix. If you don't find a separation, you will have produced peace of mind by uncovering no pathology, which is what exploratory surgery is all about, and have a nice justification for the charge. Everyone, nominally, wins all around, except for the part about it being a 1916 Willard (Standard action, quite possible single valve at that age), and 60 years past it's intended life span. As usual, reality tends to put a damper (leaking, usually) on our warm and fuzzy expectations. It's just the way stuff happens. Ron N
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