Need a spring rail for a 20 year old Sohmer 45" piano

[John Ross]

Hi,
I would like to emphasis, the "sanding down clean". The reason for the
spring breakage, was a chemical action with the chemicals in the felt.
I replaced the springs once, without the cleaning, and removal of
felt,and they were bad again, within two years.
In the replacing of the springs, I use a length of wire coat hanger,
through the coil hole.
That way you can keep a section at a time, in place for the securing
process.
Regards,
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Robert Goodale wrote:
> 
> John Baird wrote:
> 
> > Forwarded request for help from Jon Laird:
> >
> > "I need a spring rail for a 20 year old Sohmer 45" piano.   The springs
> > are
> > falling off the rail like so many Pratt Read spring rails of the time.
> 
> Have you considered just replacing the springs?  If it is like most spring
> rails I've encountered it is really no big deal, a couple of hours tops.
> 
> If it is similar to the Pratt Read type this should work: Just rip off the
> felt backing, sand it down clean, and yank the old springs out with a pair
> of needle-nose.  The new springs plug in through the holes just like the old
> ones. Make certain they are pointing the right direction. Pound the ends
> down into the cut slots and trim off the excess. Replace the felt, and your
> on your way.
> 
> Good luck,
> 
> Rob Goodale, RPT