cracked pressure bar

[Delwin D Fandrich]

Jack,

You can use either round head screws with washers, or you can try my personal solution
which was to use pan head sheet metal screws. These screws are available in a wide variety
of sizes either from a fastener supply or from an industrial supplier such as
McMaster-Carr. In my case the pan head was large enough by itself to use without a washer.
Be very careful tightening whatever type of screw you decide on. Take them down
sequentially, just a little bit at a time on each one in order.

-- ddf

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J. Kehe wrote:

> After screwing down the pressure bar on a Julius Bauer vertical, I
> noticed  hairline cracks radiating from 5 of the screw-holes. On this
> particular Bauer there are supports which limit how far the pressure bar
> can be screwed down. I don't feel that the screws were over-tightened.
> The strings have not been brought up to tension--just enough to hold the
> coils tight (the piano was recently restrung). I had purchased the piano
> from another local rebuilder who had previously had the pressure bar
> replated. There were no signs of cracks but I did notice a crazing of
> the plating along the entire length. Some questions:
>
> 1. Has anyone had a pressure bar repaired with success and what process
> was used?
> 2. Has anyone had a pressure bar manufactured and/or does anyone know a
> good machinist who would want to tackle this at a reasonable price?
> 3. What about leaving the pressure bar as is and using longer round head
> screws and washers?
>
> Any help with this will be greatly appreciated.
> Regards,
> Jack Kehe
> Chicago
> jkehe@ameritech.net