Pianotech

How about a picture David.
-chris

------------------------------
I don't always play the piano, but when i do, I prefer my own.
chernobieffpiano.com
grandpianoman@protonmail.com
865-986-7720
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2018 11:08
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

Somebody had replaced the bridge on this

1920s Steinway model V vertical. Don't know

what they used. Looking for feedback from 

anyone that has seen or can identify this and

suggestions on how it might be released. 

I have already tried knocking it off with sharp

blows, but it is unyielding. I don't want to 

injure the soundboard joint. 

Any help would be welcome.

Thanks!

Dave

Original Message------

How about a picture David.
-chris

------------------------------
I don't always play the piano, but when i do, I prefer my own.
chernobieffpiano.com
grandpianoman@protonmail.com
865-986-7720
------------------------------

Thanks, Dave. Life keeps finding me new things to be grateful for -- today's: THAT'S NOT MY WORK!!!!

Have fun ...

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

Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2018 10:54
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

Hi, Chris. Just call me Dave

I thought photos were attached.

Thanks!

Dave

Original Message------

How about a picture David.
-chris

------------------------------
I don't always play the piano, but when i do, I prefer my own.
chernobieffpiano.com
grandpianoman@protonmail.com
865-986-7720
------------------------------

One picture says a thousand words (hey, even some new words!!!)!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2018 11:08
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

Somebody had replaced the bridge on this

1920s Steinway model V vertical. Don't know

what they used. Looking for feedback from 

anyone that has seen or can identify this and

suggestions on how it might be released. 

I have already tried knocking it off with sharp

blows, but it is unyielding. I don't want to 

injure the soundboard joint. 

Any help would be welcome.

Thanks!

Dave

It looks like there may be a number of voids between the cap and the apron top.  You may be able to  insert a hacksaw blade and saw it out.  

Will Truitt

------------------------------
William Truitt
Bridgewater NH
603-744-2277
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2018 07:36
From: Terrence Farrell
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

One picture says a thousand words (hey, even some new words!!!)!

------------------------------
Terry Farrell
Farrell Piano Service, Inc.
Brandon, Florida
terry@farrellpiano.com
813-684-3505

Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2018 11:08
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

Somebody had replaced the bridge on this

1920s Steinway model V vertical. Don't know

what they used. Looking for feedback from 

anyone that has seen or can identify this and

suggestions on how it might be released. 

I have already tried knocking it off with sharp

blows, but it is unyielding. I don't want to 

injure the soundboard joint. 

Any help would be welcome.

Thanks!

Dave

Mr.Conte,
It looks like some sort of filled epoxy. If the bridge pins will come out you could plane it down until you go through the glue joint and then make a new one. You'll want to use a power planer as you'd just ruin the blade and hurt yourself trying to do it with a hand plane. If the bridge pins are epoxied in then I'd probably saw it off below the bottom of the pins and then start planing.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2018 11:08
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

Somebody had replaced the bridge on this

1920s Steinway model V vertical. Don't know

what they used. Looking for feedback from 

anyone that has seen or can identify this and

suggestions on how it might be released. 

I have already tried knocking it off with sharp

blows, but it is unyielding. I don't want to 

injure the soundboard joint. 

Any help would be welcome.

Thanks!

Dave

That epoxy looks a lot like MarineTex. Very strong stuff. 13,000 lb compressive strength. I would use a MultiTool to cut the body off at the apron, I've done it many times.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2018 11:25
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

Mr.Conte,
It looks like some sort of filled epoxy. If the bridge pins will come out you could plane it down until you go through the glue joint and then make a new one. You'll want to use a power planer as you'd just ruin the blade and hurt yourself trying to do it with a hand plane. If the bridge pins are epoxied in then I'd probably saw it off below the bottom of the pins and then start planing.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2018 11:08
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

Somebody had replaced the bridge on this

1920s Steinway model V vertical. Don't know

what they used. Looking for feedback from 

anyone that has seen or can identify this and

suggestions on how it might be released. 

I have already tried knocking it off with sharp

blows, but it is unyielding. I don't want to 

injure the soundboard joint. 

Any help would be welcome.

Thanks!

Dave

Use an oscillating power tool with a semi-circle blade.
Recommended by Ron Nossaman for bridge cap removal.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2018 11:08
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

Somebody had replaced the bridge on this

1920s Steinway model V vertical. Don't know

what they used. Looking for feedback from 

anyone that has seen or can identify this and

suggestions on how it might be released. 

I have already tried knocking it off with sharp

blows, but it is unyielding. I don't want to 

injure the soundboard joint. 

Any help would be welcome.

Thanks!

Dave

Hi Dave,
You got good suggestion for removing the cap. I use a frame around the whole thing and use a router to plane down the cap. To remove the apron from the soundboard (which sounds like what you were asking to do) I use a chisel. Mine is about a foot long with an additional 4 inches for the handle. It has a slight curve to it so that the blade hits the glue joint at a 90 degree. I chisel around the glue joint until it comes off easily. 
Use a wedge to hold up the apron as you go to remove stress on the chisel. Make sure you remove the screws from underneath.
-chris

------------------------------
I don't always play the piano, but when i do, I prefer my own.
chernobieffpiano.com
grandpianoman@protonmail.com
865-986-7720
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2018 12:29
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

Use an oscillating power tool with a semi-circle blade.
Recommended by Ron Nossaman for bridge cap removal.

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

Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2018 11:08
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

Somebody had replaced the bridge on this

1920s Steinway model V vertical. Don't know

what they used. Looking for feedback from 

anyone that has seen or can identify this and

suggestions on how it might be released. 

I have already tried knocking it off with sharp

blows, but it is unyielding. I don't want to 

injure the soundboard joint. 

Any help would be welcome.

Thanks!

Dave

almost looks like jb weld which comes in various mixes. i am not sure if a power tool is the best way to go until you get most of the wood above the joint above removed . pull out some bridge pins to get an idea how far they go into the bridge cap then trace a line all around the cap about half or 3/4 " above the cap glue line. with the proper blade in a hand held scroll saw or even a good oscillating tool you can cut the cap off intact. i think trying to cut the glue joint will cause massive tear out and also weaken the bridge/soundboard connection . measure everything before starting and make a bridge pattern first. if you are careful with the cut you should be able to plane and level a good surface to mount a new cap to. of course it may be easier to take entire thing off the board if you can do it damage free

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2018 11:08
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

Somebody had replaced the bridge on this

1920s Steinway model V vertical. Don't know

what they used. Looking for feedback from 

anyone that has seen or can identify this and

suggestions on how it might be released. 

I have already tried knocking it off with sharp

blows, but it is unyielding. I don't want to 

injure the soundboard joint. 

Any help would be welcome.

Thanks!

Dave

It's easier to remove the entire body at the apron than to cut off just the cap. A solid body/cap made from pin block stock is sufficient.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2018 13:31
From: James Kelly
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

almost looks like jb weld which comes in various mixes. i am not sure if a power tool is the best way to go until you get most of the wood above the joint above removed . pull out some bridge pins to get an idea how far they go into the bridge cap then trace a line all around the cap about half or 3/4 " above the cap glue line. with the proper blade in a hand held scroll saw or even a good oscillating tool you can cut the cap off intact. i think trying to cut the glue joint will cause massive tear out and also weaken the bridge/soundboard connection . measure everything before starting and make a bridge pattern first. if you are careful with the cut you should be able to plane and level a good surface to mount a new cap to. of course it may be easier to take entire thing off the board if you can do it damage free

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2018 11:08
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

Somebody had replaced the bridge on this

1920s Steinway model V vertical. Don't know

what they used. Looking for feedback from 

anyone that has seen or can identify this and

suggestions on how it might be released. 

I have already tried knocking it off with sharp

blows, but it is unyielding. I don't want to 

injure the soundboard joint. 

Any help would be welcome.

Thanks!

Dave

Excuse my not understanding terms, but what cap? I see riser,apron,bridge.
Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2018 15:12
From: Jon Page
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

It's easier to remove the entire body at the apron than to cut off just the cap. A solid body/cap made from pin block stock is sufficient.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page

Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2018 13:31
From: James Kelly
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

almost looks like jb weld which comes in various mixes. i am not sure if a power tool is the best way to go until you get most of the wood above the joint above removed . pull out some bridge pins to get an idea how far they go into the bridge cap then trace a line all around the cap about half or 3/4 " above the cap glue line. with the proper blade in a hand held scroll saw or even a good oscillating tool you can cut the cap off intact. i think trying to cut the glue joint will cause massive tear out and also weaken the bridge/soundboard connection . measure everything before starting and make a bridge pattern first. if you are careful with the cut you should be able to plane and level a good surface to mount a new cap to. of course it may be easier to take entire thing off the board if you can do it damage free

------------------------------
James Kelly
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357

Original Message:
Sent: 10-20-2018 11:08
From: Dave Conte
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

Somebody had replaced the bridge on this

1920s Steinway model V vertical. Don't know

what they used. Looking for feedback from 

anyone that has seen or can identify this and

suggestions on how it might be released. 

I have already tried knocking it off with sharp

blows, but it is unyielding. I don't want to 

injure the soundboard joint. 

Any help would be welcome.

Thanks!

Dave

Original Message------

It's easier to remove the entire body at the apron than to cut off just the cap. A solid body/cap made from pin block stock is sufficient.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
------------------------------

C'mon guys, what's the problem here? You're looking at a highly professional repair!

🤣🤣🤣


Seriously though, I suspect that if you apply enough heat to that joint you'll be able to snap the thing off with a pair of water pump pliers. Clean it up and start anew.

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 10-21-2018 17:20
From: Roger Gable
Subject: Bass bridge - aw nuts!

I don't respond to every topic on Pianotech - thanks to all of us - but this topic drew my attention, not because of  practical  craftsmanship techniques we discuss, but how we discuss techniques for sewing up a dead horse.

 

Roger

Original Message------

It's easier to remove the entire body at the apron than to cut off just the cap. A solid body/cap made from pin block stock is sufficient.

------------------------------
Regards,

Jon Page
------------------------------