Newton, I'm not sure how fancy you want to get on the bench repairs but I'll pass along a suggestion of a *quick and dirty* method that I use sometimes when practicality is more important than appearance and the attitude is geared more toward holding up the pianist than holding books, (ie: practice rooms, rentals, 'cheap' customers, etc.). You might already use this method, I just thought that I'd pass it along. I will open up the bench and remove the bottom masonite board so that it cannot hold music, but the hardware for the legs is still accessible from underneath. Make all leg repairs and tighten them down one final time. Drill 6 small holes through the lid, one at each corner and the last two in the middle on the long side. Screw down the lid top into the side boards with drywall screws. You now have durable bench. In addition to holding the pianist, the lid now functions as a support brace which it didn't before. Kind of like when you put a roof on a house the walls are stronger because they help each other. You no longer wear out the cheap hinges and the legs stay tighter because they don't have as much stress anymore. Again, I only use this when practicality matters most. I did a whole bunch of them a few years ago in several churches and they are all still holding strong. PS: Jim Coleman Jr. told me this one a few years back. Q: What's the difference between a piano and a trampoline? A: Kids will remove their shoes before jumping on the trampoline !!! Ron Shiflet, RPT Phoenix Chapter
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