Converting a Brass Rail Piano

[Thomas Cole]

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I don't know how it got to the list, Joe. The post in my sent folder 
shows only your email address. I'll try to refrain from using the Reply 
button in the future.

Thanks for the details about brass rail conversions. The way I've done 
it in the past is to compare, side by side, the brass rail with one of 
the new wooden flanges to see what modifications I need to make. If I 
measure the difference in center pin position, vertically and 
horizontally, I can draw appropriate cut lines on the hammer rail (which 
would work for a rabbet plane or a table saw, choose your poison :^). 
Even after making the cuts, the brass plate mounting screw holes should 
still be visible and the old plates can be used for marking the flange 
screw holes (best as I can recollect - it's been a while). I figure if 
it played acceptably before, it should after. Maybe I was just lucky?

Regards,
Tom Cole

Joseph Garrett wrote:

> Tom,
> Dittos back atcha.<G> I didn't say the parts would fit all that good! 
> My reaction is the use of a Table Saw. A bit over-kill IMHO, when a 
> hand plane would suffice. Another thing that is needed, is a "jig" 
> that will allow you to mount the action, as if it were in the piano. 
> This is the key to doing this job correctly, when the piano is not in 
> the shop. The trick is to establish the distance from the hammer butt 
> flange center pin to the string plane. AND, establishing the correct 
> strike point for the hammers. Think about it....once the brass rail(s) 
> are removed and the wooden rail is "modified", you have no reference 
> point(s)!!! As in: Yikes! DAMHIK!!!<G> Those two factors are extremely 
> important and are not emphasized sufficiently in the Spurlock 
> articles, IMO.
> Regards,
>  
> Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
> Captain, Tool Police
> Squares R I
>  
> P.S.
> THIS IS ONE OF THOSE POSTS THAT I WAS REFERRING TO! Please, either 
> send it privately or post it to the "list"! NOT BOTH! 
> (thankqueverymuch!!!)<G>


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