[CAUT] Steinway rail re-doweling

[Ward & Probst, Inc]

thanks again to everyone supplying helpful information.

Though the wisest advice seemed to favor replacing the rail, I was  
only in
Banff for a short time, and the core stock was already there.

Actually the whole process went really well, and quite quickly, to  
the point
I would still have to think twice about rail replacement as an option in
future.

Here's how it went:

1.) I compiled Susan Graham's article and Ed Foote's e-mail into a
checklist.

2.) Stuffed two cores and a bunch of 25w damppchasers into an ABS pipe
(oops, too many), checking temperature over several days.

3.) Used our old w/w bench with vice and dogs to make a holding  
fixture, and
some drill rod stock to drive the old core out. I didn't pre-dry the  
stack,
but used a counter-sink to remove extruded wood from the screwholes  
to make
removal easier.

4.) Sized the new core (which was pretty close) with a scraper, then
sandpaper, coated it with teflon, then back in the hot-box.

5.) CA'd some emory cloth to some brass rod stock (7/16"? can't  
remember),
chucked it in a cordless, and used it to de-burr the inside of the tube,
then held the stack on end and sprayed teflon inside til it dripped  
out the
bottom.

6.) Found a nice short peice of knurled drill-rod under Ted's old metal
lathe for a driving cap. Ted used to make exquisite custom becket- 
breakers,
pin-punches and the like.

7.) Set the grain "vertical" and drove the new core home, sawed the ends
flush, and went to my room for a sleep.

Even though I was cautious and stopped many times to re-read my  
notes, the
entire process of removing the old core and driving in the new one  
only took
about an hour and a half.

8.) The next morning, I had our work-study, Rebecca D'Angelo try her  
hand at
boring a few screw-holes. She also installed the new rail cloth.

9.) That evening (after 18 holes) I reinstalled the parts, and am  
initially
quite pleased with the fit.

I presume the new core will gather a bit of moisture, however Banff  
tends to
be quite dry, even in summer. The core is a tight fit to the tube, and I
don't suppose that will change.

FYI, I will divide photos into two sets, just to be sure I don't  
overload
someone's server.

best regards,
Mark Cramer
Brandon University
Brandon, MB

(Sessional Faculty Technician, Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, AB)


Photos at:

http://tinyurl.com/m2fe9
http://tinyurl.com/nycj7
http://tinyurl.com/rxmhs
http://tinyurl.com/lgahu

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-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Horace
Greeley
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 10:34 AM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Steinway rail re-doweling



Hi, Tim,

At 04:45 AM 7/12/2006, you wrote:
>Hi Horace,
>
>Thanks for information about the scales.

Most welcome.

>  As I have not gone the route of buying new,  I thought it should
> be brought into the discussion.

Absolutely!

>   I do know it has been done, but not sure how this tech does
> it.  This is a highly respected tech.  I don't think it is worth 
> pursuing for the reasons you mentioned.  I was hoping someone who 
> uses this method might speak up.

I do think that simply replacing the whole set new from S&S can work 
very well for later production...probably anything after the 
mid/late-80's.  Early than that can be more dicey.

>John was very concerned about shipping.  He sent a custom  made
>"Anvil" shipping case.  The shipping was quite expensive.  And yes 
>it was a single rail.  The work was beautiful.   You know the solder 
>joints have been checked.

However expensive, I am glad to know that the work is so good.  If 
one is not set up for doing this, it's great to have an option.

>After seeing Mark Cramer's directions and pictures I would suggest 
>looking into replacing myself.    When Mark creates directions they 
>are precise.

I agree...now, if I could just remember where I saw them 
posted...sorry, I've had some very bad EM-days/weeks recently and 
fear that I have lost many things.

>  I have directions Mark gave me for another procedure to proof by
> doing for an extremely complicated type of installation.  There was 
> nothing to change in his directions.  I am sure the same holds true 
> in re-doweling the rail directions.

That was my read, as well.

Best.

Horace