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<DIV> Ron</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><FONT
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>It's an
old idea, and works very well if you don't need front <BR>and rear bearing
information. For setting up new boards, no <BR>problem, but I've seen field
diagnosis instances where pianos <BR>had negative front bearing and positive
net, and clanged on <BR>the bridge pins on a hard blow. A rocker gage didn't
indicate <BR>any problem, but the bubble gage showed it
clearly.</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV><STRONG> I see your point. Perhaps this gauge then has it's most
useful in situation where there is still measurable positive bearing as long as
the front termination is the highest point in the bearing line. Or perhaps a gap
wouould appear under the front foot between the string & the bottom of the
foot indicating negative bearing here. I'll have to
experiement.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG> I did start out using it as a verification gauge for
bearing on new boards. In the scenario you describe then it would
appear that this would not give enough information.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG> Isn't the condition you describe kind of rare though?
Usually old board are just negative period. Nevertheless I can see that the
bubble gauge has an advantage in this situation.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG> I've observed in many old boards it's really kind of
difficult to tell what bearing exists even with the bubble gauge, not only
because of a sunken board but the angle of the bridge top.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG> IMO so much disinformation given using the Lowell gauge which
is either operator error or just limitations of the device itself as to question
it's usefulness in certain circumstances. I was hoping for something
more reliable & simple.</STRONG></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><FONT
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000
size=2><BR><BR>I do have a question though. I use the above formula to set up
<BR>initial plate height with a thread, and my deflection <BR>calculations,
but how do you use the sticks to set bearing <BR>before you have strings
on?</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE>
<DIV><STRONG> I haven't used the sticks to do this nor am I sure
it can be done.</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG> I've always utilized a version of pre-stressing the board
before I cut my bridge height & this has worked very well so
far. I think that this type of gauge may give very useful & accurrate
residual bearing information on newly set boards or on fairly new piano , on
which we assume there is crown & bearing. </STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG> Thanks for the feedback</STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG> Dale</STRONG></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid"><FONT
style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000
size=2><BR><BR>Ron N</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE>
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