The bridge repair thread seems to have run its' course and is now focused on how to calculate the cost of the job. No one that I recall suggested replacing the bridge. First, why did the bridge split? I'm willing to bet that the bridge had no cap and that it was simply a 1 x 1 x whatever piece of maple - with the grain running the wrong way. I was once told that checking the grain on bridge stock with a square cross section would be too much trouble in the factory! Groan... Anyway, I think that a straight bass bridge which doesn't require a bandsaw or curved or individual bevels is a fairly easy job. The big question, if you're not yet set up with a table saw is: "Do I ever expect to replace a bridge on a piano in the future?" If so, why not gear up for it now, or perhaps remove the bridge and take it to a fellow technician who might be willing to give advice and let you use the saw for a few minutes. Take careful measurements to make sure the downbearing is OK and make a pattern from thin clear plastic. Even if this seems like overkill for this piano, it's an opportunity to get your feet wet so you'll be ready when a piano comes along that really deserves to have a new bridge. Carl
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