[pianotech] Toy piano scaling

[James Johnson]

Years ago we had a customer who owned the toy piano he had as a child.  He 
wanted it refinished and the insides rebuilt.  We pointed out that he could 
just buy a new one for a fraction of the cost, but he wanted his original 
piano.  The solution-We bought a new Jaymar piano at ToysRUS, took the 
insides out and installed them in his old refinished case.  It was a lot 
less work than trying to mess with the old mechanism and he was thrilled and 
more than willing to pay for the service.  I don't know if they are still 
being made, but that it always an consideration if your customer wants to 
keep their old case and you have lots of broken tines.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "David Doremus" <algiers_piano at bellsouth.net>
To: <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, April 20, 2009 1:43 PM
Subject: [pianotech] Toy piano scaling


> This is off the wall and off topic but I thought I'd throw it out to the 
> mathematical among us....
>
> I have toy piano for a long time customer who wants it to work for her 
> granddaughter, several of the tines are broken. I have a friend who is a 
> metal worker so making new ones is possible, the question is how to 
> calculate the proper length without simple trial and error. Is there a 
> formula or two for calculating the pitch of a steel rod? Any advice?
>
> --Dave
>
>  New Orleans
>
>
>