[CAUT] Repair of 1961 Baldwin L Music Desk

[Jeff Tanner]

About 2 years ago, my contacts at the Baldwin parts department told me that current parts are a slightly different design. So, you need to check on that before you order.  But up until then, I was ordering parts directly from Baldwin.  (I don't know of a dealership in South Carolina or even within a 3 hour drive of here.)  I'm sorry, but I don't have those names anymore. But you should be able to go through Baldwin to find out.  See if this still works: 1-800-444-2766
Jeff
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Allan Schumacker 
  To: caut at ptg.org 
  Sent: Thursday, October 01, 2009 7:43 PM
  Subject: Re: [CAUT] Repair of 1961 Baldwin L Music Desk


  Paul,


  Baldwin parts are obtainable through your local authorized Baldwin piano dealership. They have to order the parts for you from Baldwin. The parts are available. Baldwin/Gibson, in  their infinite wisdom, will not sell parts directly to individual technicians. You probably have to purchase  an entire hinge assembly to get the brass sleeve you need. Be  sure to specify which side hinge you need. How quickly the dealership can get the parts for you is a different matter, but parts can be purchased. 


  Alternatively, I think that if you purchase a new music desk, the desk comes with the brass sleeve already installed. Very little woodworking skill is needed. Just make sure the hinge screws are tight. The desk can be purchased with a finish on it (at least the ebony ones can)


   If you would prefer to repair the wood rather than replace the music desk,  I would  suggest leveling out the damaged area using a router mounted to a router table, or a sharp chisel and glue a new piece of hard wood (maple or poplar) on to the music desk. Having removed the damaged wood on the music desk and made it level, you now will have a clean surface to make a strong glue joint. The new piece of hard wood should be slightly oversized so you can trim it down to the exact size with a chisel or a small plane. You'll have to re-drill the hole for the hinge on the side, but that isn't hard. Thin strips of hardwood can be purchased from Woodcraft.com.


  Any gaps between the edge of original veneer and  the edge of your graft, can be filled in with wood filler, and the area can be painted black with a can of black spray lacquer - assuming that the piano is  black to begin with.


  When you install the hinges for the music desk, be certain that the screws have some  good wood to bite in to so that the hinges will be held securely in place.  It is when the screws loosen up, the hinges wobble. Then some pianist comes along with a large music book and leans on the music desk,  and that causes the wood to split. Keep those hinge screws tight and you won't have a problem.




  Good  luck.


  Allan N. Schumacker, RPT
  Adjunct Professional Faculty
  Department of Music
  Nassau Community College
  Garden City, New York. 





     

  On Oct 1, 2009, at 4:24 PM, Paul Milesi wrote:


    I am in need of suggestions to effect a repair on a 1961 Baldwin L Music Desk.

    Each side of the upright desk portion has a little brass(?) tube inserted into the wood.  These interface with a little tab on the bracket mounted on the desk frame.  My problem is this: The desk in question has had the wood broken out on one side, and the little brass tube is missing.  Another technician made a repair with epoxy at some point, leaving just a hole without the tubing, but it’s not holding now.  I’ve been to Home Depot looking for a similar brass tube I could cut, but couldn’t find anything of the right diameter.  It is my understanding that there is no place to obtain Baldwin parts, i.e., no tech support for Baldwin.  Is that correct?  I can’t find any on the Gibson website, and the one dealer tech I called in NJ never returned my call.

    I don’t have a large shop or a whole lot of woodworking experience/skill, but would like to effect a nice, clean repair — either one that follows the original design, or perhaps two hinges somehow that will permit the desk to open and close, as some pianos have.  Myabe I could use a couple small hinges from Schaff?  Would I have to chisel out to sink them?  The piano case is not in great shape, so I’m not too, too worried about a fine finished appearance, but I always do “clean” work.

    All help appreciated!  Thanks!

    Paul
    -- 
    Paul Milesi, RPT
    Howard University Department of Music
    Washington, DC
    University:  (202) 806-4565
    Home:  (202) 667-3136
    Cell:  (202) 246-3136
    E-mail:  paul at pmpiano.com
    Website:  http://www.pmpiano.com


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