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<DIV>I have had good results using the "Lock-N'-Stitch" cast iron repair method
<A href="http://www.locknstitch.com/">http://www.locknstitch.com/</A></DIV>
<DIV>They sell kits with everything you need and an instructional video is
available. One of the company's owners conducted a class at a PTG national
one year, (I think it was in Reno). They specializes in cast iron repair
specifically. An engineer invented the technique for fixing engine blocks
but since then the company has expanded into fixing all types of cast iron
components. The presentation showed pictures of things they have repaired
ranging from huge industrial water pumps to ship propellers. The web page
is full of interesting information and examples of some of their work.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>In extreme cases where it can't be feasibly fixed using their repair kit or
if it's broken in multiple areas you can send a cracked plate directly to
them. In such cases one method involves placing the entire plate in an
oven and heat it until it glows red. In this state the crack is welded and
then returned to the oven where it is cooled gradually over several days.
This allows the contraction of the metal to remain even and recrystalizes the
metal without over-hardening. I'm not sure what it costs but
I'm betting it's quite pricey, (plus shipping). When rebuilding old pianos
and there is simply no replacement plate available your options can be extremely
limited. Cost aside it can be a lot more expensive if the
repair is done wrong and it cracks all over again.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Rob Goodale, RPT</DIV>
<DIV>Las Vegas, NV</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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<DIV><FONT id=role_document face=Arial color=#000000 size=2>The head of
operations should have told the customer that the job couldn't be done unless
the plate is replaced with a new one. Period. Take it or leave it.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Jesse Gitnik</DIV>
<DIV>NYC</DIV>
<DIV>Since 1980</DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></BODY></HTML>