[pianotech] FW: damaged hammers

[Dean May]

Definitely mice. Looks like a fairly serious infestation. Be careful. Some
customers will take great offense if you tell them they have mice.

When hammers are that discolored that means the mice have dumped a lot of
pee running up and down on top of them. Likely you'll have some corrosion
issues on the hammer springs and damper springs that might not show up for a
year or two, but they will likely start breaking. So issue lots of
disclaimers that you cannot guarantee everything will be okay. you just
don't know how extensive the damage may be.

Check all action cloth including hammer rail, damper stop rail, key rest
rail, and key punchings. You'll likely find a nest, possibly even a dead
mouse when you pull up the keys.

>
>
> *Dean*
>
> Dean May             cell 812.239.3359
>
> PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272
>
> Terre Haute IN  47802
>
>
>  ------------------------------
>
> *From:* pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Chris White
> *Sent:* Tuesday, November 04, 2008 7:35 PM
> *To:* pianotech at ptg.org
> *Subject:* [pianotech] damaged hammers
>
>
>
> Hello list:  I have a situation where the hammers on a piano seem to be
> eaten or chewed, with no signs of mice.   They have a stain on them as
> well.  The condition apparenly started within the last two years, since a
> well known tech had worked on this piano before his death and never
> mentioned anything to the owner.  I am enclosing pictures to help anybody
> diagnose the problem.  Also, with the same piano, rust has formed under the
> pressure bar almost welding the strings in place.  To the owners knowledge,
> no water has ever been spilt on the piano - (no leaking roofs, no plants put
> on the piano, etc.).  They don't live in a high humidity cliamate.
> Could some kind of chemical have been used to cause this?  Any suggestions
> on what could cause this, and how to go about removing the rust?  (and
> yes... it's under the whole plate).
>
> --
> WhiteSounds Piano Tuning & Repair
> 1-877-588-6464    403-952-0792
>



-- 
Dean

Dean May             cell 812.239.3359
PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272
Terre Haute IN  47802
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