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<DIV> <FONT size=3>List</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Some where in the history of lid prop evolu=
tion
things have changed. In the beginning someone created the very loooong &=
very singular lid prop. Some were as it seems, at least 6 ft long. Ok not , =
but
they were looong... As if to say this is a GRAND PIANO & the lid sh=
all
be open! </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> However, I speculate that after decade=
s of
parental frazzeled nerves from Jonnies piano lessons & singers sayi=
ng
"Can't cha please play softer" this keen desire for an acoustic remedy found=
it's way to the complaint file at the factory levels.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> The telegram probably was stated in terms som=
ething
like "dears sirs. Stop. We love your piano but, it's too loud. stop. We don'=
t
like playing with the lid the way up or for that matter down either. St=
op.
Please, So send new piano with a short stick attachment. stop This way I can=
get
my hymnals back out from under the lid. STOP!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> So about 1920 something, the modified lid prop sh=
owed
up & the world was saved from a nervous breakdown,frazzeled nerves &=
possibly an emergency room visit or two.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Now further down the road we find many GRAND piano=
s with
as many as four different length sticks on a lid prop. I say Overkill, but
whatever.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Anyway I do agree that the short stick is a handy=
option & surely sells many more pianos as it can be the feature of the
year. Salesman,"Yes mam ,Our new improved Shheckelberg & Sons Gran=
d
piano has 7 lenths on our new lid prop"</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Any way as rebuilders & service people to the=
masses we still have many great pianos out there , & not just S&S gr=
ands
,with the yet to be modified or retrofitted lid props.Folks people are
suffering!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> The New factory props are thicker & look a bi=
t like
steroids were employed & also a bit shorter in length than
originals. Not nearly so elegant I might add. Yes, I've converted many a gra=
nd
to the factory provided new style, reluctantly, & I now I have thes=
e
beautiful spare original & graceful lid props laying around on the shelf=
from the golden age when grand pianos were truly..... grand.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> I got to thinking about this so I decided to try =
a
conversion.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> If I could devise a simple quick & easy way t=
o add
a short stick to the original I'd be happy. The original stick could be salv=
aged
& reused. I despise the gross & pathetic srew on brass
thingees. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> I took theorigianl stick & located a sl=
ot 1/2
inch wide & about 9 inches long slot based on the approximate location o=
f
its newer factory counterpart. I traced the slot pattern in pencil, decided =
how
deep the slot should be & then drilled out the material between the line=
s
with a 7/16 inch Forster bit. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> At the base end of the long stick, where the shor=
t
sticks pivot is created, it is necessary to create an
opening completely thru the long stick, for perhaps an inch or
more</FONT> <FONT size=3>So the short end of the short stick's end ha=
s
clearance in the open position. Easier seen the typed. You know what I
mean. Look at one.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> It's basically & simple mortising=
operation. Once the meat of wood is removed the sides of the slot can be eas=
ily
straightened & trued up with a very sharp chisel. I used a one inch cran=
e
neck to clean up the slot. Any sharp chisel will do. Use wider on=
es
to keep the edges true.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> A new short stick was cut out of mapl=
e that
was 7'16ths wide & then fit it to the slot. This gave an elegant&nb=
sp;
sleek appearance that complimented the original. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> I created the pivot hole by clamping the entire
assembly with the short stick in place in the drill press vice. I selected a=
drill that was appropriate for a Stwy type lid hinge pin & drilled the h=
ole
thru both pieces/sticks but not all the way thru the opposite
side of the long stick. The pin fits snugly in the hole & only the
round head is visible. One can easily mount it with a screw as well ,which ,=
is
how the new ones are ,but I chose this for now. All this took a whoppin=
g 30
minutes.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> A recess can be drilled in the strong =
back
to receive the end of the stick & lined with the appropriate color of
leather.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Have fun with my new
<U><STRONG>Shop trade secret.</STRONG></U> Warranty not included.</FONT></DI=
V>
<DIV><FONT size=3> Dale Erwin</FONT></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>