Dave, The Lock-N-Stitch starter kit will cost you around $350. This is only my experience, but here it is! I do not trust the Lock-N-Stitch pins to hold in piano cast by them self. The technique to install them takes practice and it's very easy to cross tap a hole and ruin it for the locking pin. As of this time I've driven over a hundred of the pins so I do have some experience with them. The last repair that I did on a Balwin L was completed first using Lock-N-Stitch pins then a steel plate was attached across the break also using the pins. This allows you to attach the plate with nothing showing "bolt" etc. Then the plate was welded top and bottom in a horz. direction on both sides of the crack. The welding was done with some tension on the strings. Only the dampers were removed, and about 8 strings on either side of the strut. A thin steel plate was under the strut, special fiber cloth to protect from the welding. After welding the piano was tuned to A-440 and is holding just fine. I finished the strut with auto bondo and it's very hard to tell the repair is there. Looks like a part of the casting. I have digital camera photos of the whole process and plan to write up the process. I would be glad to look at a sketch of where the break is and make recommendations as to how the repair might be done. The nice thing about this repair is you can test it right away with out replacing the plate and restring etc. Would I do it in someones home? No way, not with the welding. First, find out why the crack occurred. Fix that. Then fix the break. If the crack itself has previously been welded.. Forget Lock-N-Stitch. You ruin the specials drills, special spot facer and the very special tap for the pins. Would be glad to help with your problem. Call if you like. 217-935-4215 Rich DGPEAKE@AOL.COM wrote: > > Dear Friends and Collegues, > > Several times I have heard about Lock N' Stitch (I believe that is what it is > called) for repairing cracked plates. Where can I puchase it and how many > hours should I bid to do the repair, including lowing the tension, etc? Is > this a repair that should be done in my shop? Feel free to guide me to the > archives if necessary. > > Thank you, > > Dave Peake, RPT > Portland Chapter > Oregon City, OR
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