Wegman upright

[Tony Caught]

Hi Phil

I guy by the name of Sydney Beale (Sir) invented this system ? in Sydney,
Australia, 100 or so years ago. If not this system, one that is very
similar.
           -----
          /     /
          /  o /
          /     /      This is approximate shape of pin.
          /     /
        /        \
      /_____\

The iron frame is thicker where the tuning pins are installed.
The hole is first drilled through the plate, then the hole is widened from
the back and drilled with a reverse flair, then a thread is cut into the
widened hole.
The pin is standard at the front and flared at the back.
The pin is inserted into the pin hole from the back and a lock screw is
screwed in to hold the pin in its right position and provide a pressure fit
on the flared section.

This method of using a tuningplankless pin system was used by other
companies in England and America under their own name. But in this country
is called the Beale patented tuning system.

Beale piano company stopped using this system in the early 50's because
Yamaha had just started making and selling there pianos in bulk in Australia
at vastly cheaper prices. Some of the list may remember these pianos, not
the best pianos but the best value for money at that time.

Beale carried on making pianos but they used the same iron frame with the
thickness reduced (at the pin block area) fitted wooden planks and sold them
at a cheaper price.

Thus I say cost in drilling, threading, fitting etc. is the factor.

At the same time I am still tuning these pianos that are now almost 100 yo
and they are as tight as they were when first made.  Sometimes the pins
freeze into their position and the pin breaks trying to shift it, (the tuner
should pull the piano out from the wall, take of the backing plate and
loosen the screw, tap the pin to loosen then tighten the screw again. But
this seems to be too much work for some tuners in a hurry or lack of
knowledge.

There are thousands of these pianos still in use in Aussie Land.




----- Original Message -----
From: phil frankenberg <rinkyd@pacbell.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2000 10:58 PM
Subject: Re: Wegman upright


> Tony
> I would think it would be less costly to make a piano with the wegman
> "principle".
> No pinblock.
> No fitting block to plate.
> Shorter tuning pins without threads.
> No drilling in pin block.
> No driving pins in block.
>
> The only expense I can see would be the one time cost of changing the
plate,
> which would be offset by the savings I mentioned above.
>
> OR,,,  Wegman wanted too much for rights to the patent?
> What do you think?
> Phil
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Tony Caught" <caute@optusnet.com.au>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2000 9:14 PM
> Subject: Re: Wegman upright
>
>
> > Cost Phil, Cost.
> >
> > Tony Caught ICPTG
> > Australia
> > caute@optusnet.com.au
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: phil frankenberg <rinkyd@pacbell.net>
> > To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> > Sent: Thursday, December 07, 2000 5:53 AM
> > Subject: Re: Wegman upright
> >
> >
> > > The wegman piano has no pinblock. The pins are not full length and are
> > held
> > > in place by the shape of the hole in the plate and the pull of the
wire.
> > > This was a good idea that went by the wayside for reasons I'll never
> > > understand.
> > >
> > > Phil Frankenberg
> > > Chico Ca
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Newton Hunt" <nhunt@jagat.com>
> > > To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> > > Sent: Wednesday, December 06, 2000 3:23 PM
> > > Subject: Re: Wegman upright
> > >
> > >
> > > > Drilling a hole in the tuning pin?
> > > >
> > > > Sales hype?
> > > >
> > > > Newton
> > > >
> > > > Clyde Hollinger wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Friends,
> > > > >
> > > > > Today I tuned a 1910 Wegman upright serial 15799.  I am curious
> about
> > > > > something.  Cast into the plate was this:
> > > > >
> > > > > Tuning pin fastening patented
> > > > > June 15, 1886
> > > > > November 11, 1902
> > > > >
> > > > > What does this refer to?
> > > > >
> > > > > Regards, Clyde
> > >
> >
>