"Premier" grand sustain problem

[Wallace Wilson]

Clyde:

Kay and I just rebuilt & refinished one of these babies (sentimental to
owner!).  It should be renamed Pandora's Box.  Good luck.  In addition
to what's already been contributed, you might use Webb Phillips' wood
rebuilder.  Could proportion it a little thicker ....   Good luck.  Keep
me posted.  Is this a bigger job, or just a simple repair?

Wally Wilson, RPT
Ravenswood, WV
Columbus Chapter

Clyde Hollinger wrote:
> 
> Friends,
> 
> I service a 1925 Premier grand piano that has a sustain setup I am
> unfamiliar with.  A strip of wood is screwed fast to the keybed close to
> the pianist and extends straight back into the action cavity.  It is
> thinner right behind where it is screwed fast to make it more flexible,
> because the strip needs to flex every time the sustain pedal is used.
> About 3/4 of the way back the sustain dowel rod pushes this strip up
> when the sustain pedal is engaged, which in turn pushes up on the metal
> damper lift rail at the back end.
> 
> This wood strip is broken right behind where it is screwed fast, so a
> new strip has to be made, since trying to glue it was unsuccessful.  Is
> there a particular kind of wood that should be used which is strong and
> can take this constant flexing?  Or, has anyone tried retrofitting,
> putting a small hinge in the piece so the wood doesn't need to flex at
> all?  It looks to me like this might work and should have been done in
> the first place.  Manufacturers have come up with better systems since
> this piano was built 74 years ago.
> 
> Regards,
> Clyde Hollinger