<!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 6.00.2716.2200" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Everybody:</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Client just knocked on my door to pay = the $95 bucks he owes me .. then said his uncle would pay for "fixing up" his piano = with the new hammers and such that it needs. Ho Ho Ho, there IS a Santa Claus</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Background: Piano is on older = Chickering short grand, about 5'2" (have not found any serial # on it).</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The pinblock needs replacing but that = is not something I own the tools to do, nor have I any experience--never even = seen it done. If need be, I can probably find a tech to co-op the job with but = would rather not as there are no PTG techs (or others I trust to know what = they are doing) for many miles around. Either bite the bullet and get what I = need, help another tech do one for the experience, etc., all = possibilities.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>BTW I did install a DC in this piano = some months ago but it does not hold tune well. Pinblock has cracks and laminate separations.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>1. What about treating the old block = with epoxy, then using 4/0 pins?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>2. Hammers & shanks ... your = preferences for this piano???</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>3. Piano uses the Chickering = grand brass plates. Any point in trying to convert to wooden flanges, or just = replace old brass???</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>4. Biggie! I've replace several = sets of damper felt lately--trichords never want to seat right. Felt is too soft or = something (tried Laoureux and Schaff generic). Anyone have a secret way to get = trichords to sit between the strings???????</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thanks, in advance for all responses, I = owe you a root beer.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Alan Barnard</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Salem, Ho Ho = Mo</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>