Brass Action Rails

[Farrell]

That is exactly where my concern was coming from Clyde. Thank you. When I sell this piano, I will be claiming it to be as good or better than new. Not sure I will feel comfortable with the original brass rail, when I see in other applications that this is a component that commonly deteriorates.

On the flip side, this piano was reported to be used several (six if I recall correctly) hours daily with two male teenagers playing Rachmaninoff, etc. The hammer butts are worn right trough and the jacks hit on wood - and the brass rail survived. Perhaps the heavy use kept the metal malleable?

Terry Farrell
  
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Clyde Hollinger" <cedel@supernet.com>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 05, 2003 7:59 AM
Subject: Re: Brass Action Rails


> Dale's response to Terry raises a question in my mind.  Are there *any* 90-year-old brass rails that can be considered trustworthy for even another 20-30 years, and even if no teeth have broken off so far?  Maybe, if they've been taken off and heat-treated.  Beyond that, I have questions. 

It seems to me that if Terry keeps the original brass rails, he runs the risk of doing all that other work, only to have a tooth break off six months later.  The piano then has to be returned to the shop for an undetermined amount of time to replace the brass rails, and the client is unhappy.  If that happens, it certainly will damage his reputation.  My vote is for replacement, one way or another. 

Regards, 
Clyde Hollinger, RPT 
Lititz, PA USA 

Erwinspiano@aol.com wrote: 

In a message dated 1/4/2003 6:44:21 PM Pacific Standard Time, mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com writes: 
  
Subj: Brass Action Rails 
Date: 1/4/2003 6:44:21 PM Pacific Standard Time 
From: mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com 
Reply-to: pianotech@ptg.org 
To: pianotech@ptg.org 
Sent from the Internet 
        Terry 
         I wouldn't assumne that they're brittle. If it ain't broke don't fix it.