Richard, Thanks very much for this informative post. I will use your suggestion of foam blocks. What you said about the rim may be a concern. Would supporting the plate on blocks of wood offset the possibility of rim separation? Best regards, John Formsma Blue Mountain, MS -----Original Message----- From: owner-pianotech@ptg.org [mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]On Behalf Of Richard Anderson Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2000 9:11 AM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Re: doping pinblock/piano upside down Although I have never done what you're proposing, I routinely turn every piano upside down in the course of soundboard and structure repair. It's also a great opportunity to rebuild the trapwork and lyre without having to lay on your back. When I do this the plate is out of course and turning the piano over does no harm and is something I can do easily myself (with help from the hoist on 7's and 9's). I would strongly caution against turning over an old small grand of less than highest quality because the rim may not stand the force. If there is any rim separation (which there most likely is even if you can't see it) turning it over will make it worse. As for the gluing, I use the CA in my repairs while the piano is upside down and I can confirm that it will run where ever it darn well pleases. The qualities that allow it to so effectively make the repair ensure that it will also do some collateral repair. There is undoubtedly some delaminations and splits in the old block and the glue will find those first and will quite likely end up dripping down the tuning pins. If you chose to do it I recommend using the foam blocks used for carrying canoes on the tops of cars. They have a groove that fits nicely over the rim are about the right density for holding it off the floor and your fingers. I have 6 of them and use them all for larger pianos. The straight side is on a skid. I start the blocks on the curve side opposite where the straight side begins to curve and continue on to the front. Remember, I have the plate out so you'll need more per foot of piano size. I also lasso the treble end of the stretcher with a strap so as the piano approaches the floor I can lower it with the strap rather than squat. Of course you can't do this with the plate in, and even if you could sneak the strap between the block and stretcher I wouldn't because of the extra weight on that joint. Perhaps around the block and plate will work IF the plate is screwed through the block into the rim. This is the perfect example of rebuilder's conundrum. The better built pianos are much easier to handle the type of work the lesser pianos need. Take the lid and the hinges off the rim. Put a tarp down first. Use at least 3 people. -- Richard Anderson Anderson Piano Service mailto:tknostf@foxvalley.net http://users.FoxValley.net/~tknostf/
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