<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1400" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM>"We discovered the problems when we = tried to move the piano away from the wall, but only the top half moved."</EM></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Good golly man, this is = priceless. Is there video available? I wish I could have been there!  ROFL!</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM>"My first reaction was to send it = to the dump."</EM></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I'm sure some wise person has said: = "trust your instincts!" (Just had to say that. ;-)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM>"The case sides are two parts: a = short vertical side from floor to the bottom of the keydesk..."</EM></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I trust you mean keybed?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2><EM>"...and horizontal sides from the keydesk to the top and from the back to the front of the keyslip."</EM></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Horizontal sides? This is where you = loose me. How can a side be horizontal? Sounds more like a top or bottom. Got a photo? = I just can't picture what you are describing. I know that some of those older = Wurlies had some pretty bizarre cases.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>If we are talking about some = normal-ish-type sides, bonding them back in position with epoxy can be a good approach. I have = done this using pipe clamps. Don't worry about bending the clamps because = with epoxy bonding, you only need to hold the thing in position - you don't really = need any clamping pressure for the epoxy's sake - only enough to place and hold = the part in position.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I'd be a bit nervous about = epoxying sides onto a piano in someone's home - no doubt it can be done, but I don't think I = would want to do it  - just too much chance for a big expensive mess.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Terry Farrell</DIV></FONT> <DIV><FONT face=Arial><BR><FONT size=2></FONT></FONT></DIV><FONT = face=Arial size=2>> Hello list. <BR>> <BR>> I need some advice on an = unusual (for me) repair.  New<BR>> customer called about a piano that came = with the house<BR>> they just purchased.  It is a 1954 Wurlitzer = spinet<BR>> with naugahyde top and sides.  The case sides are two<BR>> = parts: a short vertical side from floor to the bottom<BR>> of the keydesk, and = horizontal sides from the keydesk<BR>> to the top and from the back = to the front of the<BR>> keyslip.  <BR>> <BR>> The glue joints on = both of the upper, horizontal sides<BR>> have separated from the back = frame.  The entire<BR>> keyboard and action are floating, resting on top = of<BR>> the lower sides, which appear to remain solidly glued,<BR>> and the = spindly little spinet legs in front.<BR>> <BR>> We discovered the problems = when we tried to move the<BR>> piano away from the wall, but only the top = half moved.<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> My first reaction was to send it to the = dump.  But<BR>> closer inspection revealed a very clean instrument,<BR>> with excellent pinblock and bridge condition, = clean<BR>> felt, and excellent case appearance.  The only thing<BR>> wrong = with it is the case separation.  <BR>> <BR>> I have read discussions = in the archives about<BR>> spreading the sides, inserting epoxy, and using pipe<BR>> clamps to reattach the sides to the back.  I = think<BR>> folks have also used pipe clamps across the front to<BR>> keep the = sides parallel.  Do I need to worry about<BR>> this if the keydesk is = still holding the sides<BR>> together in front?  <BR>> <BR>> I = intend to bid doing the work in the client's home,<BR>> since the cost of a = move to/from my shop would<BR>> probably exceed the value of the = instrument, combined<BR>> with the actual repair.  <BR>> <BR>> Please = help me with my check list:<BR>> <BR>> 1. Gather long clamps and other = heavy duty tools, work<BR>> table, (tilter?)<BR>> 2. Spread double layer = dropcloth (fabric over plastic)<BR>> to catch excess epoxy.<BR>> 3. Remove = action, any removable case parts. Keys.<BR>> Keyframe?<BR>> 4. Slide sides = and keydesk forward, away from<BR>> remainder of piano and sand off old = glue from sides<BR>> and back.<BR>> 5. Paint on very thin epoxy to both = surfaces, letting<BR>> it soak in.<BR>> 6. Slide the sides back on and = squeeze in thick epoxy<BR>> pastry-bag style?  Push it in with a thin blade?<BR>> Other?<BR>> 7. Pad the naugahyde sides with 2x4 blocks = and clamp<BR>> across the back with three or four pipe clamps.<BR>> 8. = Clean up and leave.<BR>> 9. Come back next day and remove clamps, = reinstall<BR>> action, basic regulation as needed.<BR>> <BR>> Did I forget anything?  Do I need deep-reach pipe<BR>> clamps?  Should I = use wedge-shaped 2x4 blocks to<BR>> compensate for pipe clamp arching? = Are 3/4 inch pipe<BR>> clamps sufficient? Am I nuts for even thinking = about<BR>> it, or is this "something we do every day, ma'am"?<BR>> <BR>> 8 = hours total? 4? 16?<BR>> <BR>> Any tricks for alignment?  <BR>> = <BR>> Thanks, <BR>> Greg Graham<BR>> Graham Piano Service<BR>> Brodheadsville, PA<BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> <BR>> __________________________________ <BR>> Do you Yahoo!? <BR>> = Yahoo! Mail - You care about security. So do we. <BR>> </FONT><A href="http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail"><FONT face=Arial size=2>http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail</FONT></A><BR><FONT = face=Arial size=2>> _______________________________________________<BR>> = pianotech list info: </FONT><A = href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives"><FONT face=Arial size=2>https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</FONT></A><BR><FON= T face=Arial size=2>> </FONT></BODY></HTML>