plate miscasting (was "Fixing Plates"

[Conrad Hoffsommer]

At 10:52 PM 2/8/2007 +0000, you wrote:
>While we're on the subject of plates: I showed this on the Piano 
>Forum list, but thought I'd throw it into the mix here for more 
>feedback. Below is a Hamburg Model M ca. 1927 in our shop on which 
>(according to feedback from the Hamburg factory) the plate was 
>miscast "O 170" instead of (as it should read) "M 170". The factory 
>had apparently heard of this before. It's 5' 7" or 170 cm, so most 
>definitely an M.
>
>Would the model and length designation would be a separate part of 
>the pattern in the moulding process? Or is a plate pattern simply 
>two large plate-sized pieces, top and bottom? (I don't know much 
>about the mechanics of plate casting). I would assume that a certain 
>number of plates like this one were produced before the goof was 
>noticed and the pattern re-carved.
>
>I'm curious if anyone has ever seen a plate casting flaw as 
>fundamental as this on a NY Steinway (or any other model, for that 
>matter)? Imagine what the piano might be worth if it were a coin or 
>a stamp  : ) It's hard to imagine there would be a lot of these 
>kinds of plate anomalies floating around - plates seem like 
>something so carved in, well... iron!
>
>Sorting out the mystery of this contradictory and confusing plate 
>designation has made me more curious about plate casting in general. 
>Any observations or insights are welcome.
>
>Allen Wright, RPT
>London, UK

I said:
>I'll check for the exact configuration tomorrow when I get to 
>school, but I think we have one of these Hamburgers here.  It has 
>"O" 170 in the triangle, but i think that it also has an "M" cast 
>into the plate at the horn.(pointy end)
>
>Yes, 170cm is the size.
>Conrad Hoffsommer


The one here is serial #249150. Real close to yours, and here is the 
designation cast into the plate at the far end.
Somewhere along the line they _did_ get the "M" on the plate, just 
not where you can see it w/o opening the lid.(with necessary removal 
of pictures/music/lamp, etc.)

   
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Conrad Hoffsommer - Keyboard Technician
Luther College, 700 College Dr., Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045
1-(563)-387-1204 // Fax 1-(563)-387-1076

- Right now, I'm hoping to live until my age matches my golf score,
- Until then, I'll have to be content to have my IQ match my handicap.