Pianotech

  • 1.  Late 1800s Steinway pedals

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-05-2020 21:27
    Hi All,

    Does anyone have a source or a replacement remedy  for broken cast iron pedals on vintage $teinway uprights.  I haven't been able to locate a tradesman willing to weld/braze pedals recently and the problem comes around frequently enough to warrant some research. 

    Thanks in advance.
    Dale Fox RPT 
    Sacramento chapter


  • 2.  RE: Late 1800s Steinway pedals

    Posted 11-05-2020 21:38
    There a guy here, in Massachusetts , David Erickson , http://www.ericksonsantiquestoves.com/

    He welds cast iron every day, and uses new technology so the whole part doesn't heat up. I have had him do a Bechtein plate, with success. When he welded the plate,  paint literally within inches of the weld was not effected, showing how localized the the new rods keep the heat.

    As the pedals are mail-able, I'd highly recommend him, even though you are on the west coast.

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    Jim Ialeggio
    grandpianosolutions.com
    Shirley, MA
    978 425-9026
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  • 3.  RE: Late 1800s Steinway pedals

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 11-06-2020 07:15
    I just talked with a custom motorcycle shop finding out that they do powder coating instead of plating of parts and that their machinist can duplicate any part.  They are now my best friends .

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    Ruth Van Dine
    Warwick RI
    401-480-7761
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  • 4.  RE: Late 1800s Steinway pedals

    Member
    Posted 11-06-2020 07:33
    Maybe we can build a list of such tradespeople. It would be mutually beneficial to them and PTG knowing there is someone to turn to to keep these pianos going. In my case I had to get a local metal shop near our steel mill make a set of lyre lock plates for an early Knabe. Fortunately another client had a lyre with the same design that my source was able to duplicate. I also  would like to find resources that could fabricate some of the trap work hardware I come across as well as various brass flanges  used on old Chickering & Sons. I have pictures of a number of their various brass flanges and recently purchased a few off e-bay. When I worked on a Chickering 121 Quarter grand, Isaac Sadigursky saved the day when he sent me his famous "coffee jar". The brass flanges from Schaff need work to make them fit and I have not tried the new 3D printed flanges I bought.

    Perhaps some of these resources could be added to the PTG Industry Resources with their permission ?

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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