cracked plate

[pnotnr at aol.com]

 It wasn't very loud.? In fact I first thought it was just the handle of my 2lb mallet falling over on the keybed.? Nothing like a gun shot.

I had to remove the jack by using a second jack to share the load, then took turns easing each one until they came out.? I'd like to think the crack was already there, but I think I would have noticed before.

I made a mark at the end of the crack so I could tell if it gets longer.? I'm hoping there is someone with experience who might be able to weld this without taking the whole thing apart.? (I know nothing about welding, and don't really want to learn on this instrument.? I can picture myself burning down my shop)

This is a 103 year old Chickering that had a lot of problems, but I thought I could save it.

-Gordon Large


 


 

-----Original Message-----
From: Farrell <mfarrel2 at tampabay.rr.com>
To: Pianotech List <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 4:55 pm
Subject: Re: cracked plate
















I wonder if, after stringing up to tension, the jack was 
in there so tight because there was already a crack - letting the pinblock/plate 
rotate that little bit and press down on the jack. You say you heard the crack - 
was it pretty loud? I've never heard a plate crack, but I can only imagine that 
it would be a pretty loud event.


?


Did you simply unscrew the jack at a normal rate? I'm 
assuming you didn't whack the jack with a sledge and remove it instantaneously 
(I'm sure you didn't - just covering that ground). If you let it down slowly, I 
have a hard time understanding how your actions could be responsible for the 
plate cracking.


?


Terry Farrell



  
----- Original Message ----- 

  
?

  
This was just a normal screw type jack.? And maybe this had nothing 
  to do with the plate cracking, but after stringing the piano, it was in a lot 
  tighter then when I first put it in.? I had put it in just snug enough so that I 
  couldn't move it.? I guessed that the string tension pulled that 
  corner of the plate and maybe the jack gave it that borderline amount of 
  support(?)? Probably didn't have the plate in position as well as I 
  thought.

Anyway, the crack 
  happened as I released the jack, so I'm thinking there is some 
  connection.? It's about 5 hours since this happened, and the strings are 
  still at pitch.? 

I don't consider myself a rebuilder.? This 
  project was more of a change of pace for me (I'm primarily a field technician) 
  and this particular instrument was a good one to screw up (if I had to screw 
  up a piano!)? since it had little value to begin with.? I AM feeling 
  gun shy, however.

Gordon Large


  


 


 

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