All in all, it might work out best if the owner brings the piano to you and picks it up after the work is finished. It will give you time to sort it all out.
Pulling the action isn't all that bad and even if you slip and have to get all those stickers back in the rail it won't be the end of you, I've done it more than a few times =\
Pretty much the treble bridge problems I've run into with Acrosoncs have been the cap lifting at the break on the right hand side, only separated an inch or two, as I recall I clamped them down with a wood screw and wood insert that fit between the bridge pins, after the glue dried I replaced the screw with a dowel. The one catch is that area is pretty much aligned with the the keyed so that needs to be worked out. Whole thing doesn't really take that much time but you need to eliminate all that travel.
James' method looks good for more extensive separation as long as the posts aren't in the way.
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Steven Rosenthal
Honolulu HI
808-521-7129
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-01-2021 22:39
From: James Kelly
Subject: Is there such a thing? (ez bridge fix)
I have fixed several Baldwins that had issues with dead notes usually several notes in a row up to as much as an octave. There was a lack of enough glue or the glue was bad. You need to get the action out using Wims tip or tying the sticker pin guide rail to keep all the stickers in place . use a small drill to drill several pilot holes through the bridge centered between the bridge pins. The drill should be long enough to go through the bridge cap, bridge and soundboard. I then drill a larger hole through the soundboard into the bridge and use a tapered threaded dowel known as a Miller Dowel. You could also use short drywall screws , Before tightening the Miller dowels or screws squirt wood glue between the bridge and soundboard. Use a screwdriver or chisel to pry the bridge slightly away from the board to make a wider gap to inject the glue When you tighten things from the soundboard it will tighten the bridge against the board. No need to use a clamp..
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James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
843-325-4357
Original Message:
Sent: 06-01-2021 20:58
From: Timothy Edwards
Subject: Is there such a thing? (ez bridge fix)
Thanks for the tip, Willem. All my previous experience has been with replacing or recapping bridges. I'm wondering in this case, whether I might use Schaff's soundboard repair clamp (#58) as a clamp to draw it together and inject either some CA glue or some titebond into the crack to restore the tone. Not sure if that clamp will apply sufficient pressure in this instance. Can't think of anything else more efficient at the moment short of more invasive drilling (and screwing) or removing and replacing it.
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Timothy Edwards
Beckley WV
740-517-7636
Original Message:
Sent: 06-01-2021 18:42
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Is there such a thing? (ez bridge fix)
Tim.
of course it's possible. But is the customer willing to pay the cost I'd making the repair? I would quote her a minimum of 4 hours to repair the bridge plus 2 or 3 follow up calls to retune the piano. That's provided you don't break any strings. And, that's not even considering the time to go to her house.
To remove the action, take the last damper block off the damper lever wire and put it on note 1 sticker. Take the next to last damper and put it on note 88 sticker.
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Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
Original Message:
Sent: 06-01-2021 16:45
From: Timothy Edwards
Subject: Is there such a thing? (ez bridge fix)
60 yr old Acrosonic spinet. Treble bridge (see pics) either cracked or cap unglued. Piano is not really worth the cost of replacing or recapping. Not even sure it's worth the trouble to pull the action, lower tension, remove strings in treble and attempt some other repair; but I thought perhaps (and she's hoping) someone here might have a creative method to restore the tone in these treble strings. Sentimental value. Parents bought it for her at 16 yrs. of age.
I've replaced bridges before, but this thing's almost a 90 minute drive; and I'm not even sure I want to tackle it at my age, so if anyone's in possession of a great idea -- I'm "all ears".
Also -- Never had the privilege of pulling one of these ancient Baldwin spinet actions before. (With the sticker "rail" unattached to the action brackets) What's the secret to managing the stickers and keeping them in their bushings? Please don't tell me I'll be doing a lot of "hair-pulling". I'm already losing some.
Pics attached. (Hope you can make out the crack. Was very difficult to get a good pic.)
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Timothy Edwards
Beckley WV
740-517-7636
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