First question, is the rail warped or is the keybed itself, or (erk) both? I've also seen discussions on shimming somewhere. Reblitz maybe? You cut kerfs and either shim and glue or close up the kerf and glue depending on which way you are moving the wood. Where you cut depends on which way you are trying to move the wood, I would think. If it is the front rail itself and the rest of the frame is square, I think I'd go get a straight, flat board and duplicate the rail. You could maybe remove the pins from the old rail, drill the old pin holes completely through, firmly clamp the old one on top of the new one--all lined up--and use this as a jig to locate and drill the new pin and screw holes. OR could the original rail be removed and straightened with steam then reinstalled? My ramblings, for what they may be worth ... Alan Barnard Salem, MO -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On Behalf Of Robin Olson Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2003 9:28 PM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Pleyel Grand with warped front rail. I recently worked on a roughly 100 year old Pleyel grand in of all places,(where else but)the French Ambassador's residence here in Washington DC.Somewhere along the line it has been restrung and and partially rebuilt.The problem is that the front rail only contacts the key bed on the ends.In the middle it is bounceing up and down causeing power loss and letoff and after touch proplems unless you play pretty hard.There are no adjustable glide bolts either on the key frame or the bed.Sanding the front rail seems like a long and possibly futile method.I seem to recall a method of cutting a saw curf in the front rail to help lower the rise in the middle.Is this done from the top of the rail,or bottom,or both.Do you shim and glue or just leave an open slit in the front rail.I look forward to the lists opinions and experience in this. Thanks Robin Olson RPT _______________________________________________ pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
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