Pianotech

  • 1.  1905 straight strung upright Broadwood

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-13-2017 12:37
      |   view attached
    Many loose butt plates. Broken cords. Two broken flanges. One damaged butt.



    Best solution is to replace butts and flanges, but I tried Broadwood in the UK, plus their main dealer, plus Fletcher and Newman, the largest piano supply in the UK. No replacements, not even used ones.

    Shimming the anchor end of the loose butt plates helps by increasing the pressure at the groove end.  At least they're tight.  But they still wobble.  Can rebush the flanges.  Maybe that will help. Can replace the broken cords.  For the replacements of the broken parts, I can adapt standard flanges by adding cords. The damaged butt will be a challenge, but perhaps the other remedies will make it work.

    Any other suggestions?

    Paul Larudee, RPT, El Cerrito, CA


  • 2.  RE: 1905 straight strung upright Broadwood

    Posted 03-13-2017 13:00
    Perhaps Yamaha flanges can be adapted.
    If the wobble is because the groove in the butt is wallowed, try a little steam to see if the wood will swell back. If it does, then size it with thin CA.

    ------------------------------
    Ed Sutton
    ed440@me.com
    (980) 254-7413
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: 1905 straight strung upright Broadwood

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-13-2017 13:41
    Thanks, Ed.

    It's easier to add a cord to a standard upright flange that has the same dimensions as the Broadwood flange than to carve a corded flange like the Yamaha to the dimensions of a standard flange.  Haven't yet found a corded flange that has the same shape and dimensions as Schaff 511CJ or 932UJ (Tokiwa), which fit the Broadwood.

    I like the idea of steaming and low viscosity CA, but would be inclined to apply watered-down Titebond instead of steam to swell the wood in the precise area required.  Might add low viscosity CA after it dries, but suspend over a dish of water so that it doesn't shrink too much before applying the CA.




    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: 1905 straight strung upright Broadwood

    Posted 03-14-2017 02:47
    3D printer?   Michael   UK



    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: 1905 straight strung upright Broadwood

    Posted 03-15-2017 02:54
    A few pics would be handy! The more the merrier! Broadwood was a very innovative manufacturer and their workforce used to sign their names on the parts for which they were responsible.     Michael      UK

    ------------------------------
    Michael Gamble
    semi retired
    Brighton
    01273813612
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: 1905 straight strung upright Broadwood

    Posted 03-14-2017 04:37
    Those butt-loops, going through a hole in the Jack and a leather washer to be located on the bent end of a return spring, are a real pain to replace! I'm very glad things have 'moved on' from there!     Michael  UK



    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: 1905 straight strung upright Broadwood

    Member
    Posted 03-14-2017 09:58
    Is there room at all to add  a hammer return spring rail?
    If so, a conventional wood rail butt should work, unmodified.
    Otherwise, replacing with Yamaha butts, using wood rail flanges, & adding the cord may be your only REASONABLE option.

    ------------------------------
    John Gallen
    OWNER
    1040 Pianos
    S Windham CT
    860-428-6045
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: 1905 straight strung upright Broadwood

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 03-14-2017 12:19
    I would also have to add a cord to the Yamaha butts, because the Broadwood butts have one that goes through an opening at the top of the jack and attaches to a spring anchored at the base of the jack, presumably functioning as a hammer return spring but also perhaps enhancing the jack return (although there is also a traditional jack spring).  Anyway, you've given me some ideas if the client is ready to completely replace and re-engineer that part of the action.  The price would be ridiculous for that piano and it wouldn't preserve the accuracy of the design, but I guess I should offer it as an option.



    Original Message