[pianotech] Broken Drill Bit in Bridge

[Encore Pianos]

I made a drill rig using a small cheap straight air drill, using a drawer
slide as a guide track and mounted on an angled stand (very similar to
Michael Spreemans rig)  I used it on one piano, and it works.  But the whole
thing is a bit too much of a Clydesdale where a miniature pony would be
better.  Plus, I have to have the bridge off the panel to drill it, and I
want something that gives me the flexibility to drill in the piano.  So I am
attracted to something like Ron's rig for its compactness and simplicity.  

Will Truitt

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Ron Nossaman
Sent: Monday, August 13, 2012 2:27 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Broken Drill Bit in Bridge

On 8/13/2012 1:08 PM, Terry Farrell wrote:

> If I were to start with a shop from scratch, I don't think I would 
> build this thing, but rather make a floating thing like Ron N uses. I 
> like that idea - much more simple. But because I already have this 
> rig, I'll just keep using it because it works great!

I like mine big time for pinblocks, and my little B&D drill rig works well
enough for bridges (though I'd prefer lower speed ranges at higher torque -
a drill instead of a grinder, but that takes an air tool or big bucks), but
I still haven't come up with a platform system for drilling plates with the
hovercraft that doesn't involve a whole lot of juggling. 
Other than the fact that I have absolutely no place to mount it, an
articulated arm drill support bolted to the wall like Baldwin used to (does
?) use would be cool. No, I don't have a photo, but I've seen it in old
Baldwin ads in the Journal.

Ron N