<!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 6.00.2900.3354" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Hey Dale, I thought you were supposed to be on vacation. Well since you started this thread, here's a late entry...</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>I'm also trying this system out for the first time so here's a few comments:</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <OL> <LI><FONT face=Arial size=2>Yes, you probably should make whatever modifications to the soundboard & rim in terms of providing a counterbore wide enough to allow the plate to be as low as you'll need it. If you are doing this, chances are that you are also making new bridgecaps, so if the original plate is sitting so low along the rim as it does on many Steinways, you should probably address this at the bridgecap first.</FONT></LI> <LI><FONT face=Arial size=2>Many Masons have countersunk holes for the perimeter lag screws that will not accommodate the new suspension bolts of any system. Ron N. suggested to me that I fill the holes with epoxy and "plate grindings additive." This would work and since I prime my plates, there would be no bonding issues. Alternatively, I decided to use a counterbore and pilot that would accommodate a SS washer. These washers can be epoxied in place, the countersink and hole will also be filled and then the washer gives a pilot for redrilling the hole. The washer will be left unfinished solving any problems of the bolt marring the paint as it is tightened down.</FONT></LI> <LI><FONT face=Arial size=2>Cost. Yeah well that's always the rub. It's an option that has to be passed on to the customer. If we're talking a few bucks on big job, I'm happy to support the folks at M&H and their effort to not only resurrect WNG, but to add some revolutionary thinking to the catalogue. I like MSC too.</FONT></LI></OL> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks Frank. This is a fine design and I especially appreciate the tip on tight tolerances for the pilot.</FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Jude Reveley, RPT<BR>Absolute Piano Restoration, LLC<BR>Lowell, Massachusetts<BR>(978) 323-4545</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>