<html> <body> Joe - Returning, for a moment, to the piano aspect of this issue, what's your reason for bypassing the bridge?  You'd get your net, though, in the case of a rounded bridge surface, you could get a false zero or negative reading.  (I don't think you can get a false positive, at least, I can't visualize it.) Also, you'd learn nothing about the individual front and rear components.  That was part of my issue with John's method.  He seemed to have little concern for other than the net bearing, and even on that, he had some ideas I found somewhat troubling. Unfortunately, (or maybe fortunately for me) he's no longer contributing to these lists, so that's not an avenue to pursue. As for using a laser,  you'd STILL have to solve the stabilizing problem Greg spoke of.  Maybe you could come up with a Rare Earth Universal Mount, with which you could use a Lowell OR a Laser.  (LOLREUM!)  Are lasers affected by magnetic fields? But mainly I'm interested with my first question...why no bridge? David Skolnik At 04:42 PM 6/2/2004 -0600, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite>Humm, why would not a laser set on the string pointing at the rim, first measurment on the speaking length and the second reading on the tail with the laser pointed at the same target.  Bypass the bridge all together. Just thinkin, Joe Goss <a href="mailto:imatunr@srvinet.com">imatunr@srvinet.com</a> <a href="http://www.mothergoosetools.com/" eudora="autourl">www.mothergoosetools.com</a> <dl> <dd>----- Original Message ----- <dd>From: <a href="mailto:Erwinspiano@aol.com">Erwinspiano@aol.com</a> <dd>To: <a href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</a> <dd>Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2004 3:53 PM <dd>Subject: Re: consistent downbearing measurements <dd>     Greg <dd>   Some techs do not rebuild but only use them to see if there is any residual bearing left in the 90 year old almost flat or flat  board. Under those conditions it's difficult to tell anything with the gauge because of the bridge slope towards the rear & a sunken crown/bridge as well  One gets really funky ideas of whats there &  not there if you know what I mean. <dd> As to your useage , yes of course this what they're for. I wasn't looking for trick answers. It would be nice if the gauge were fashione from cast brass or iron for a more solid seat on the string. <dd>  Dale <dd>Dale, <dd><x-tab>        </x-tab>Uh, I'm not sure what type of an answer your looking for here but I'll take a stab at it. I'm needing to set plate height during the course of a rebuild and check for down bearing during the course of evaluating a piano. Isn't that what their for? <dd>Greg <dd>At 10:45 AM 6/1/2004, you wrote:<blockquote type=cite class=cite cite> <dd>In a message dated 6/1/2004 5:23:38 AM Pacific Standard Time, gnewell@ameritech.net writes: <dd>Thanks Dale. I've been doing just that but I'm not happy with the repeatability of measurements. There's just got to be a better way. Any other gauges out there? I seem to remember a Journal article with a dial gauge of some kind. Am I dreaming? <dd>Greg Newell </dl>    Gregg</blockquote></blockquote></body> </html>