Recently, a fellow tech called up and said, "Allan! Help! I've been sitting here for quite a while trying to figure out how to get the fall out of this grand so I an access the action for a simple repair. It doesn't have regular hinges on the inside of the rim, in the fall, or in the cheekblocks." After thinking for a moment, I suggested that he check for something fairly rare and tilt the fall out 45° to look at the end of the fall. Once he did, he saw something similar to what you see in the picture below. By removing 2 screws on each end, the dado in the end of the fall slides off the hinge rails (which have one screw holding the hinge rail to the inside of the rim and inaccessible until the fall is removed) and the fall can be removed.

Replacing simply involves lining up the dadoes with the hinge rail and sliding the fall into place until the screws holes align and reinstall the screws.

You don't see these every day but file it away for that odd when you do see one of these. ( I saw this one last week on a Weber grand.)


------------------------------
Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
------------------------------

And, I tighten the screws into the case to aid putting the key cover back on.

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2017 16:23
From: Allan Gilreath
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

Recently, a fellow tech called up and said, "Allan! Help! I've been sitting here for quite a while trying to figure out how to get the fall out of this grand so I an access the action for a simple repair. It doesn't have regular hinges on the inside of the rim, in the fall, or in the cheekblocks." After thinking for a moment, I suggested that he check for something fairly rare and tilt the fall out 45° to look at the end of the fall. Once he did, he saw something similar to what you see in the picture below. By removing 2 screws on each end, the dado in the end of the fall slides off the hinge rails (which have one screw holding the hinge rail to the inside of the rim and inaccessible until the fall is removed) and the fall can be removed.

Replacing simply involves lining up the dadoes with the hinge rail and sliding the fall into place until the screws holes align and reinstall the screws.

You don't see these every day but file it away for that odd when you do see one of these. ( I saw this one last week on a Weber grand.)


------------------------------
Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
------------------------------

LOL. I remember the time I encountered one of these. (I've only seen the one.) How the devil am I going to get INTO this thing??

I eventually spotted the screw heads but it was at least a quarter hour after arrival.

The other tricky Chinese puzzle box is an upright with no lid hinges or visible fasteners. Screw heads are captured in kind of lock plates on the under side of the lid. The magic is to slide the lid firmly toward the back (if I remember right -- I think it was toward the back instead of pulling toward the front.) Then the screws line up with wider openings and the lid can be lifted off.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2017 16:23
From: Allan Gilreath
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

Recently, a fellow tech called up and said, "Allan! Help! I've been sitting here for quite a while trying to figure out how to get the fall out of this grand so I an access the action for a simple repair. It doesn't have regular hinges on the inside of the rim, in the fall, or in the cheekblocks." After thinking for a moment, I suggested that he check for something fairly rare and tilt the fall out 45° to look at the end of the fall. Once he did, he saw something similar to what you see in the picture below. By removing 2 screws on each end, the dado in the end of the fall slides off the hinge rails (which have one screw holding the hinge rail to the inside of the rim and inaccessible until the fall is removed) and the fall can be removed.

Replacing simply involves lining up the dadoes with the hinge rail and sliding the fall into place until the screws holes align and reinstall the screws.

You don't see these every day but file it away for that odd when you do see one of these. ( I saw this one last week on a Weber grand.)


------------------------------
Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
------------------------------

Original Message------

LOL. I remember the time I encountered one of these. (I've only seen the one.) How the devil am I going to get INTO this thing??

I eventually spotted the screw heads but it was at least a quarter hour after arrival.

The other tricky Chinese puzzle box is an upright with no lid hinges or visible fasteners. Screw heads are captured in kind of lock plates on the under side of the lid. The magic is to slide the lid firmly toward the back (if I remember right -- I think it was toward the back instead of pulling toward the front.) Then the screws line up with wider openings and the lid can be lifted off.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon
------------------------------

The biggest puzzler I ever saw was an institutional Wurlitzer vertical, about 44 inches tall, made in the late 1960s.  There were no screws visible anywhere, and the front wouldn't budge.  I finally located a pair of long (over 12") bolts running up through the sides from below.  Presumably this was done to keep school kids from getting inside.  I've never seen a second one.

------------------------------
Kent Burnside, RPT
Franklin TN
615.430.0653
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2017 20:43
From: Susan Kline
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

LOL. I remember the time I encountered one of these. (I've only seen the one.) How the devil am I going to get INTO this thing??

I eventually spotted the screw heads but it was at least a quarter hour after arrival.

The other tricky Chinese puzzle box is an upright with no lid hinges or visible fasteners. Screw heads are captured in kind of lock plates on the under side of the lid. The magic is to slide the lid firmly toward the back (if I remember right -- I think it was toward the back instead of pulling toward the front.) Then the screws line up with wider openings and the lid can be lifted off.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2017 16:23
From: Allan Gilreath
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

Recently, a fellow tech called up and said, "Allan! Help! I've been sitting here for quite a while trying to figure out how to get the fall out of this grand so I an access the action for a simple repair. It doesn't have regular hinges on the inside of the rim, in the fall, or in the cheekblocks." After thinking for a moment, I suggested that he check for something fairly rare and tilt the fall out 45° to look at the end of the fall. Once he did, he saw something similar to what you see in the picture below. By removing 2 screws on each end, the dado in the end of the fall slides off the hinge rails (which have one screw holding the hinge rail to the inside of the rim and inaccessible until the fall is removed) and the fall can be removed.

Replacing simply involves lining up the dadoes with the hinge rail and sliding the fall into place until the screws holes align and reinstall the screws.

You don't see these every day but file it away for that odd when you do see one of these. ( I saw this one last week on a Weber grand.)


------------------------------
Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
------------------------------

And then there are the Story & Clark studio verticals that have L brackets instead of hinges on the top lid. Oh, and they're attached with Allen nuts instead of screws. Once you get the Allen nuts out you have to slide the whole assembly back by an inch to get clear of the  blind screw and bracket catch holding down the front.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2017 08:13
From: Kent Burnside
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

The biggest puzzler I ever saw was an institutional Wurlitzer vertical, about 44 inches tall, made in the late 1960s.  There were no screws visible anywhere, and the front wouldn't budge.  I finally located a pair of long (over 12") bolts running up through the sides from below.  Presumably this was done to keep school kids from getting inside.  I've never seen a second one.

------------------------------
Kent Burnside, RPT
Franklin TN
615.430.0653

Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2017 20:43
From: Susan Kline
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

LOL. I remember the time I encountered one of these. (I've only seen the one.) How the devil am I going to get INTO this thing??

I eventually spotted the screw heads but it was at least a quarter hour after arrival.

The other tricky Chinese puzzle box is an upright with no lid hinges or visible fasteners. Screw heads are captured in kind of lock plates on the under side of the lid. The magic is to slide the lid firmly toward the back (if I remember right -- I think it was toward the back instead of pulling toward the front.) Then the screws line up with wider openings and the lid can be lifted off.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2017 16:23
From: Allan Gilreath
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

Recently, a fellow tech called up and said, "Allan! Help! I've been sitting here for quite a while trying to figure out how to get the fall out of this grand so I an access the action for a simple repair. It doesn't have regular hinges on the inside of the rim, in the fall, or in the cheekblocks." After thinking for a moment, I suggested that he check for something fairly rare and tilt the fall out 45° to look at the end of the fall. Once he did, he saw something similar to what you see in the picture below. By removing 2 screws on each end, the dado in the end of the fall slides off the hinge rails (which have one screw holding the hinge rail to the inside of the rim and inaccessible until the fall is removed) and the fall can be removed.

Replacing simply involves lining up the dadoes with the hinge rail and sliding the fall into place until the screws holes align and reinstall the screws.

You don't see these every day but file it away for that odd when you do see one of these. ( I saw this one last week on a Weber grand.)


------------------------------
Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
------------------------------

And then there are those “techs” who are positive those “L” brackets must be some kind of fancy hinge (usually found on Everette consoles) and pry the top up anyway.

In a pinch, a large flat blade can usually loosen the Allen bolt, but no, couldn’t try that; couldn’t diagnose the problem ; had to assume they were right.

Thank goodness for these forums and tech tips in the Journal. Why doesn’t everyone see the benefit of participating in PTG?

“Good, better, best. Never let it rest, ‘til the good is better and the better is best”

"PTG - Expand your horizon - Share the vision"

George W.R.(Bill) Davis, RPT, SERVP
The Piano Place GA
2315 Rocky Mountain Rd NE
Marietta GA 30066
(770) 778-6881
www.pianoplace.net
Sent from my iPhone


Original Message------

And then there are the Story & Clark studio verticals that have L brackets instead of hinges on the top lid. Oh, and they're attached with Allen nuts instead of screws. Once you get the Allen nuts out you have to slide the whole assembly back by an inch to get clear of the  blind screw and bracket catch holding down the front.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL
------------------------------

Speaking of Wurlitzers, with every cabinet style under the sun, a friend was unable to open the bottom of the console to change a string. There was no bottom board clip or knob to pull forward, no screws at all anywhere. I looked under the keys for a long screw that would hold the bottom board. Nope. It was one of those cabinets where there are panels on either side which are permanent, with a smaller panel in the middle that is removed for service. The left and right panels had a gap at the top, so I wasn't sure if they came off, but I didn't know. Looking and looking, prying with a bar, it looked like it moved, but there wasn't enough room to lift it out. It had a sort of vertical wooden grill, and speaker cloth behind it. Frustrated, I yanked on the grille. It moved. A-HA! I pulled hard, and the grille came out. It was held with clips, like the ones used on cabinet doors.
Paul McCloud
San Diego



Kent Burnside
The biggest puzzler I ever saw was an institutional Wurlitzer vertical, about 44 inches tall, made in the late 1960s. There were no screws visible anywhere, and the front wouldn't budge. I finally located a pair of long (over 12") bolts running up through the sides from below. Presumably this was done to keep school kids from getting inside. I've never seen a second one.

------------------------------
Kent Burnside, RPT
Franklin TN
615.430.0653



Original Message------

The biggest puzzler I ever saw was an institutional Wurlitzer vertical, about 44 inches tall, made in the late 1960s.  There were no screws visible anywhere, and the front wouldn't budge.  I finally located a pair of long (over 12") bolts running up through the sides from below.  Presumably this was done to keep school kids from getting inside.  I've never seen a second one.

------------------------------
Kent Burnside, RPT
Franklin TN
615.430.0653
------------------------------

I think I've also seen one of these Wurlitzers. It took quite a while to figure out what was holding it together. 

Confession time also...in my frustration, I started trying to force things apart, thinking maybe something was stuck. A small crack, ahem, er...somehow "just happened" right where the bolts were. After that, I could see what held it together. It wasn't a bad crack, and wasn't even visible without any pressure on the panel. Anyway, they never had me back, but that's ok. I really doubt it was because of the crack. I really think it's because it's at a church that only has the piano tuned every 10-15 years.

------------------------------
John Formsma, RPT
New Albany MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2017 08:13
From: Kent Burnside
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

The biggest puzzler I ever saw was an institutional Wurlitzer vertical, about 44 inches tall, made in the late 1960s.  There were no screws visible anywhere, and the front wouldn't budge.  I finally located a pair of long (over 12") bolts running up through the sides from below.  Presumably this was done to keep school kids from getting inside.  I've never seen a second one.

------------------------------
Kent Burnside, RPT
Franklin TN
615.430.0653

Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2017 20:43
From: Susan Kline
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

LOL. I remember the time I encountered one of these. (I've only seen the one.) How the devil am I going to get INTO this thing??

I eventually spotted the screw heads but it was at least a quarter hour after arrival.

The other tricky Chinese puzzle box is an upright with no lid hinges or visible fasteners. Screw heads are captured in kind of lock plates on the under side of the lid. The magic is to slide the lid firmly toward the back (if I remember right -- I think it was toward the back instead of pulling toward the front.) Then the screws line up with wider openings and the lid can be lifted off.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2017 16:23
From: Allan Gilreath
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

Recently, a fellow tech called up and said, "Allan! Help! I've been sitting here for quite a while trying to figure out how to get the fall out of this grand so I an access the action for a simple repair. It doesn't have regular hinges on the inside of the rim, in the fall, or in the cheekblocks." After thinking for a moment, I suggested that he check for something fairly rare and tilt the fall out 45° to look at the end of the fall. Once he did, he saw something similar to what you see in the picture below. By removing 2 screws on each end, the dado in the end of the fall slides off the hinge rails (which have one screw holding the hinge rail to the inside of the rim and inaccessible until the fall is removed) and the fall can be removed.

Replacing simply involves lining up the dadoes with the hinge rail and sliding the fall into place until the screws holes align and reinstall the screws.

You don't see these every day but file it away for that odd when you do see one of these. ( I saw this one last week on a Weber grand.)


------------------------------
Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
------------------------------

I hear you, John.

The default position for piano techs is to want to schedule regular service, but for a lot of pianos, I think that I don't want to see them more often than every 10 or 15 years. For a few instruments I can remember, the right schedule for servicing (at least by me) is every 30 years ...

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2017 11:21
From: John Formsma
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

I think I've also seen one of these Wurlitzers. It took quite a while to figure out what was holding it together.

Confession time also...in my frustration, I started trying to force things apart, thinking maybe something was stuck. A small crack, ahem, er...somehow "just happened" right where the bolts were. After that, I could see what held it together. It wasn't a bad crack, and wasn't even visible without any pressure on the panel. Anyway, they never had me back, but that's ok. I really doubt it was because of the crack. I really think it's because it's at a church that only has the piano tuned every 10-15 years.

------------------------------
John Formsma, RPT
New Albany MS

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2017 08:13
From: Kent Burnside
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

The biggest puzzler I ever saw was an institutional Wurlitzer vertical, about 44 inches tall, made in the late 1960s.  There were no screws visible anywhere, and the front wouldn't budge.  I finally located a pair of long (over 12") bolts running up through the sides from below.  Presumably this was done to keep school kids from getting inside.  I've never seen a second one.

------------------------------
Kent Burnside, RPT
Franklin TN
615.430.0653

Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2017 20:43
From: Susan Kline
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

LOL. I remember the time I encountered one of these. (I've only seen the one.) How the devil am I going to get INTO this thing??

I eventually spotted the screw heads but it was at least a quarter hour after arrival.

The other tricky Chinese puzzle box is an upright with no lid hinges or visible fasteners. Screw heads are captured in kind of lock plates on the under side of the lid. The magic is to slide the lid firmly toward the back (if I remember right -- I think it was toward the back instead of pulling toward the front.) Then the screws line up with wider openings and the lid can be lifted off.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 11-01-2017 16:23
From: Allan Gilreath
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

Recently, a fellow tech called up and said, "Allan! Help! I've been sitting here for quite a while trying to figure out how to get the fall out of this grand so I an access the action for a simple repair. It doesn't have regular hinges on the inside of the rim, in the fall, or in the cheekblocks." After thinking for a moment, I suggested that he check for something fairly rare and tilt the fall out 45° to look at the end of the fall. Once he did, he saw something similar to what you see in the picture below. By removing 2 screws on each end, the dado in the end of the fall slides off the hinge rails (which have one screw holding the hinge rail to the inside of the rim and inaccessible until the fall is removed) and the fall can be removed.

Replacing simply involves lining up the dadoes with the hinge rail and sliding the fall into place until the screws holes align and reinstall the screws.

You don't see these every day but file it away for that odd when you do see one of these. ( I saw this one last week on a Weber grand.)


------------------------------
Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
------------------------------

Original Message------

Recently, a fellow tech called up and said, "Allan! Help! I've been sitting here for quite a while trying to figure out how to get the fall out of this grand so I an access the action for a simple repair. It doesn't have regular hinges on the inside of the rim, in the fall, or in the cheekblocks." After thinking for a moment, I suggested that he check for something fairly rare and tilt the fall out 45° to look at the end of the fall. Once he did, he saw something similar to what you see in the picture below. By removing 2 screws on each end, the dado in the end of the fall slides off the hinge rails (which have one screw holding the hinge rail to the inside of the rim and inaccessible until the fall is removed) and the fall can be removed.

Replacing simply involves lining up the dadoes with the hinge rail and sliding the fall into place until the screws holes align and reinstall the screws.

You don't see these every day but file it away for that odd when you do see one of these. ( I saw this one last week on a Weber grand.)


------------------------------
Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
------------------------------

While we're on this topic. Cheek blocks on a grand screwed into the side with screws reached from under the keys after the key slip is removed.

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2017 09:59
From: Chris Chernobieff
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

Hi Allan,

I'll have to remember that "fellow tech" line (wink wink). A good thing about that design is,  it only fools ya the first time. Many custom art case pianos can have tricky set ups, hidden screws etc. Keeps ya on your toes.

-chris

Original Message------

Recently, a fellow tech called up and said, "Allan! Help! I've been sitting here for quite a while trying to figure out how to get the fall out of this grand so I an access the action for a simple repair. It doesn't have regular hinges on the inside of the rim, in the fall, or in the cheekblocks." After thinking for a moment, I suggested that he check for something fairly rare and tilt the fall out 45° to look at the end of the fall. Once he did, he saw something similar to what you see in the picture below. By removing 2 screws on each end, the dado in the end of the fall slides off the hinge rails (which have one screw holding the hinge rail to the inside of the rim and inaccessible until the fall is removed) and the fall can be removed.

Replacing simply involves lining up the dadoes with the hinge rail and sliding the fall into place until the screws holes align and reinstall the screws.

You don't see these every day but file it away for that odd when you do see one of these. ( I saw this one last week on a Weber grand.)


------------------------------
Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
------------------------------

Hi Allen

I have a new customer whose piano has that same fallboard hardware, but the part that attaches to the case at each end is missing. I need to come up with a way to re-attach it, but do not know what the missing parts look like. Any chance you have a picture of that?

Thanks

Craig Miller

------------------------------
Craig Miller
Marietta GA
770-321-9390
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2017 11:37
From: Larry Messerly
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

While we're on this topic. Cheek blocks on a grand screwed into the side with screws reached from under the keys after the key slip is removed.

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2017 09:59
From: Chris Chernobieff
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

Hi Allan,

I'll have to remember that "fellow tech" line (wink wink). A good thing about that design is,  it only fools ya the first time. Many custom art case pianos can have tricky set ups, hidden screws etc. Keeps ya on your toes.

-chris

Original Message------

Recently, a fellow tech called up and said, "Allan! Help! I've been sitting here for quite a while trying to figure out how to get the fall out of this grand so I an access the action for a simple repair. It doesn't have regular hinges on the inside of the rim, in the fall, or in the cheekblocks." After thinking for a moment, I suggested that he check for something fairly rare and tilt the fall out 45° to look at the end of the fall. Once he did, he saw something similar to what you see in the picture below. By removing 2 screws on each end, the dado in the end of the fall slides off the hinge rails (which have one screw holding the hinge rail to the inside of the rim and inaccessible until the fall is removed) and the fall can be removed.

Replacing simply involves lining up the dadoes with the hinge rail and sliding the fall into place until the screws holes align and reinstall the screws.

You don't see these every day but file it away for that odd when you do see one of these. ( I saw this one last week on a Weber grand.)


------------------------------
Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
------------------------------

Good morning Craig,

I happened to be close to the client with the Weber grand and she was gracious enough to let me stop by and grab a quick picture for you.



------------------------------
Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-03-2017 07:30
From: Craig Miller
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

Hi Allen

I have a new customer whose piano has that same fallboard hardware, but the part that attaches to the case at each end is missing. I need to come up with a way to re-attach it, but do not know what the missing parts look like. Any chance you have a picture of that?

Thanks

Craig Miller

------------------------------
Craig Miller
Marietta GA
770-321-9390

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2017 11:37
From: Larry Messerly
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

While we're on this topic. Cheek blocks on a grand screwed into the side with screws reached from under the keys after the key slip is removed.

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2017 09:59
From: Chris Chernobieff
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

Hi Allan,

I'll have to remember that "fellow tech" line (wink wink). A good thing about that design is,  it only fools ya the first time. Many custom art case pianos can have tricky set ups, hidden screws etc. Keeps ya on your toes.

-chris

Original Message------

Recently, a fellow tech called up and said, "Allan! Help! I've been sitting here for quite a while trying to figure out how to get the fall out of this grand so I an access the action for a simple repair. It doesn't have regular hinges on the inside of the rim, in the fall, or in the cheekblocks." After thinking for a moment, I suggested that he check for something fairly rare and tilt the fall out 45° to look at the end of the fall. Once he did, he saw something similar to what you see in the picture below. By removing 2 screws on each end, the dado in the end of the fall slides off the hinge rails (which have one screw holding the hinge rail to the inside of the rim and inaccessible until the fall is removed) and the fall can be removed.

Replacing simply involves lining up the dadoes with the hinge rail and sliding the fall into place until the screws holes align and reinstall the screws.

You don't see these every day but file it away for that odd when you do see one of these. ( I saw this one last week on a Weber grand.)


------------------------------
Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
------------------------------

Thanks Allen. Very helpful.

------------------------------
Craig Miller
Marietta GA
770-321-9390
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-06-2017 08:09
From: Allan Gilreath
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

Good morning Craig,

I happened to be close to the client with the Weber grand and she was gracious enough to let me stop by and grab a quick picture for you.



------------------------------
Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-03-2017 07:30
From: Craig Miller
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

Hi Allen

I have a new customer whose piano has that same fallboard hardware, but the part that attaches to the case at each end is missing. I need to come up with a way to re-attach it, but do not know what the missing parts look like. Any chance you have a picture of that?

Thanks

Craig Miller

------------------------------
Craig Miller
Marietta GA
770-321-9390

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2017 11:37
From: Larry Messerly
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

While we're on this topic. Cheek blocks on a grand screwed into the side with screws reached from under the keys after the key slip is removed.

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Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292

Original Message:
Sent: 11-02-2017 09:59
From: Chris Chernobieff
Subject: Unusual fall hinge hardware - A Tuesday Tech Tip

Hi Allan,

I'll have to remember that "fellow tech" line (wink wink). A good thing about that design is,  it only fools ya the first time. Many custom art case pianos can have tricky set ups, hidden screws etc. Keeps ya on your toes.

-chris

Original Message------

Recently, a fellow tech called up and said, "Allan! Help! I've been sitting here for quite a while trying to figure out how to get the fall out of this grand so I an access the action for a simple repair. It doesn't have regular hinges on the inside of the rim, in the fall, or in the cheekblocks." After thinking for a moment, I suggested that he check for something fairly rare and tilt the fall out 45° to look at the end of the fall. Once he did, he saw something similar to what you see in the picture below. By removing 2 screws on each end, the dado in the end of the fall slides off the hinge rails (which have one screw holding the hinge rail to the inside of the rim and inaccessible until the fall is removed) and the fall can be removed.

Replacing simply involves lining up the dadoes with the hinge rail and sliding the fall into place until the screws holes align and reinstall the screws.

You don't see these every day but file it away for that odd when you do see one of these. ( I saw this one last week on a Weber grand.)


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Allan Gilreath, RPT
Registered Piano Technician & President
Allan Gilreath & Associates, Inc
Calhoun, GA
706-602-7667
allan@allangilreath.com - www.allangilreath.com
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