[pianotech] Repairing Bridge

[paul bruesch]

Thanks, Joe and David.

As far as making a pattern for drilling from the old cap, I should think I'd
be able to take a rubbing of the string grooves, no?

Or probably better yet... it appears that the hole centers are directly
opposite one another. Would that be a valid method to layout and/or verify
hole placement?

How do y'all layout a replacement bridge/cap when the original looks like
mine does?

Joe, I'm trying to find a local source for aircraft plywood but haven't had
any luck. I can probably scrounge some Delignit from local techs, but may
have to order something.

Paul Bruesch
Stillwater, MN

On Sun, May 31, 2009 at 7:13 PM, David Love <davidlovepianos at comcast.net>wrote:

>  Sounds good but I would probably not try and make a pattern from that old
> cap.  Just lay it out from scratch.  Not hard.
>
>
>
> David Love
>
> www.davidlovepianos.com
>
>
>
> *From:* pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] *On
> Behalf Of *Joseph Garrett
> *Sent:* Sunday, May 31, 2009 3:35 PM
> *To:* pianotech
> *Subject:* [pianotech] Repairing Bridge
>
>
>
> Paul said:
>
> Thanks Ron... I'll do that. The original bridge is slightly less than
>
> 1.375", so I reckon I won't have to glue slabs together as long as I start
>
> with 1.375" or thicker stock.
>
>
>
> Thanks everyone!
>
>
>
> Paul,
>
> The best way to fix it is: 1. take measurements at each end and the middle
> of the overall thickness of the bridge. 2. Slice off the top of the bridge
> with a fence on the band saw. Suggest taking just slightly less than 1/2" of
> the top of the bridge off. 3. Make a piece of stock slightly thicker then
> 1/2" thick , )I use aircraft plywood for this, but you can use delignit if
> you have), and glue it back on the bridge. (this piece should be approx. the
> same shape, so that trimming will not be a chore.) 3. With a horizontal
> sander, thickness the bridge back to the original dimension. 4. From the
> pattern, that you made before you started all of this, transfer the original
> pin/string spacing to the new bridge cap surface. 5. drill the cap for the
> appropriate sized bridge pins. 6. Shape the bridge to the proper termination
> bevels. Use a fine wood rasp for this operation, not a chisel! 7. Mask off
> the bridge top and sand the entire bridge. Finish with a good varnish or
> laquer. 8. Remove masking and insert bridge pins using a 3/32" Nail Set to
> do the final seating. 9....Yer Not done yet! 10.....Reinstall the bridge.
> 11. Let glue set up properly and re-install the strings, bring to tension
> and seat strings on hitches and bridge surface. 11. Now you're done.
>
> Regards,
>
> Joe
>
>
>
>
>
> Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
>
> Captain, Tool Police
>
> Squares R I
>
>
>
>
>
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