Artiste Benches

[Larry Fisher]

Yo, the bench press mechanism has failed to lift Glutamusicians faithfully
over the years, so it be worn and tired.


>From: Robert Goodale <Robert.Goodale@nau.edu>

>
>Has anyone looked into to rebuilding artist benches? 
>
>A common problem that I have found with many older benches is that they
>start rocking on the "X" lifting support, and many simply become
>difficult if not impossible to turn the handles to adjust.

Hi Robert,

I'm curious ......... if you could be more specific as to where the wear
point is, maybe I could dream up some sort of repair.  From your
description, the pivot point where the two pieces of metal intersect is the
point of wear.  (this would be the place where the X pivots as the threaded
rod is turned, similar to a scissors jack found on so many cars these days)
If I'm correct, this is where a hardened insert would be a good idea.  If
it's a combination of all the points of motion/pivot besides the threaded
rod, then they would all need hardened inserts.  This would indeed be a
challenge to modify and for now I'm simply curious and would like the
opportunity to persue.  The manufacturer, as opposed to the supplier of the
bench, should have these mechanisms in stock and most likely would be much
easier to simply replace as opposed to repair.  Mayhaps the supplier would
be willing to give that information to you.

Thinking out loud, is all, and please let us all know about the results of
your search.

When I serviced the southern half of Wyoming, a young man in Laramie made
his own adjustable bench using his pride and joy, Benchsmith Mark V (name
could be a bit off, memory is full of holes).  For a first attempt, I was
impressed.  After tuning the piano, I noticed a few slivers following me
around.  I guess it still needed to be upholstered.  Uh, the bench, not the
piano.  An upholstered piano ......  hmmmmmm.  I think I'll email that bozo
that has the $12.95 book on how to rebuild and tune you own piano and have
him investigate upholstering pianos for fun and profit.  TUCK AND ROLL!!!

Lar

                                    Larry Fisher RPT
   specialist in players, retrofits, and other complicated stuff
      phone 360-256-2999 or email larryf@pacifier.com
         http://www.pacifier.com/~larryf/ (revised 10/96)
           Beau Dahnker pianos work best under water