straightedges

[Robert Goodale]

K Anderson wrote:

> I 've been finding new (to me) ways to use straightedges lately.  I knew
> about using them in key leveling, of course, and traveling hammers and
> setting hammerline. Oh, yes, anytime checking for warpage, as with
> keyslips. (Maybe there were more but they don't come readily to mind just
> now)  Recently I found a straightedge handy to see if the bridgetop was
> really ready for the new capping material, and to see if the new cap was
> as good as I hoped...then to see if  my new bridgepins were filing down
> to an acceptably consistent height.  Then when stringing I used a 6-inch
> steel ruler to doublecheck height & level of the front string length
> (before the pressure bar). Next, I got out my nice straight 24-inch ruler
> to see if the warped lid of the bench being rebuilt is getting any more
> level with all that sanding, before applying new veneer...  Now I'm
> thinking of using it on the battered sides of the next piano in line, to
> doublecheck for a nice level surface after sanding & before refinishing.
> What other uses do you find for straightedges?

The straightest straightedge is not a straightedge but rather a
non-straightedge that is made to be straight.  The non-straight
straightedge in which I am referring is when you use a string for a
straightedge.  When this type of non-straightedge is pulled straight it
becomes the straightest straightedge of them all!  You can use this type of
straightedge for straightening all kinds of non-straight things simply by
pulling it tight so that it becomes straight.  Examples for this kind of
straightening include hanging hammers straight, checking for non-straight
soundboards, (i.e. crown), by holing the straightened non-straightedge across
the
back of a soundboard, checking the straightness of a keyboard by
straightening your straightedge across the keys, and many other straightening
jobs.  I hope you have it straight now when I tell you that there is more
than one type of straightedge.  Now you go straight away and try this.  Soon
there won't be a non-straight thing around!!

Rob Goodale, RPT
Las Vegas, NV