> Here's an interesting problem: a 1958-59 Chickering console presented > with a non-functioning sustain pedal. Upon opening the piano, I noticed > the right-hand side of the action would rise when the pedal was > pressed. Removing the action revealed that the sticker/action rail was > split, probably for about 10 inches, and probably (according to the > church's choir director) from too-aggressive pedalling. > > Without removing dampers/wippens for better access, I think I can inject > (very carefully, to avoid squeeze-out!) into the length of the split, > use a c-clamp around the top of the rail and the wippen flanges (again, > very carefully, to close the split without putting too much pressure on, > and perhaps using a paint stick or some such between the clamp and the > wippen flanges to distribute the pressure), then use a 4x3/4 screw in > the available right end, to mechanically close the split, along with the > glue. I wish there were room to put in another screw. . . > > Without removing parts, which I don't really want to do, and which would > turn it into a bigger job than the church will be willing to contemplate > (or am I being foolish?), this is all I can come up with. The choir > director is really interested in buying a grand for the sanctuary, so is > not really interested in spending much. Otherwise this piano is in > really good condition, and seems like a pretty decent specimen. > > So, what do you think? Will this be an effective repair? Should I just > bite the bullet and take some parts off for better access? What would > be the prognosis for any kind of repair for this problem? > > I'm thinking of charging for a 3-4 hour job, including today's visit. > > Thanks for your advice. > > Richard Morgan I ran into something like this a few years ago. Got some Titebond into the split joint, clamped the rail together, and drilled down through it for a long sheetrock screw in the bass end. It worked well enough, and I didn't have to take action parts off, though I did pull the action. It wouldn't work on everything out there, but it's worth a look. Ron N
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC