Pianotech

  • 1.  Loose leg joint

    Member
    Posted 06-01-2021 13:52
    I have a client with a Steinway L that has a loose leg joint on the tail leg. It is the joint between the horizontal piece and the vertical leg. This piano is on a grand truck and will be moved around a classroom.

    Is there a standard procedure for tightening this joint? I am considering taking the leg off and running a set of screws from the top into the leg to pull it tight. I may have to take the locking plate out and be sure the screws are well counter sunk under it. Suggestions and insight on this type of repair are welcome.




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    Rex Roseman
    Akron OH
    330-289-2948
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  • 2.  RE: Loose leg joint

    Member
    Posted 06-01-2021 15:20
    Are you talking about a glue joint ? I think the problem is more the locking plates between the top of the leg and the horizontal apron. You should consider doing the plates on all three legs but be aware you will have to do some routing and chiselling to get the new plates to mesh evenly. Buy the three piece set from S & S along with the new screws. You will need a good drill and proper drill bits to make new holes. Chances are that the existing plates are worn or the screws have gotten loose from previous moves and humidity changes. Before the truck was installed the piano may have been rolled around on the wheels and the legs got stressed. Remove the lyre and support rods but first outline the location with chaulk to help position it during restall. Lock the wheels of the truck or chuck them and put wheels at different angles. Use 4 x 4 pressure treated beams under each arm of the spider. Use many jacks, metal saw horses, scissor jacks, hydraulic jacks to support the piano when it is jacked up. I would not trust the jack in the box jack alone- hydraulic jacks can blow out seals- also always check the fluid level in such jacks. I did this job on an L that had been rolled around on its wheels for years . I managed to get the church to purchase a spider . When I took off each leg (only one at a time- putting repaired leg on) I found the plates where worn and screws loose...

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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  • 3.  RE: Loose leg joint

    Member
    Posted 06-01-2021 16:11
    James.

    The problem is in the glue joint in the two pieces of the leg.





  • 4.  RE: Loose leg joint

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-01-2021 19:57
    Rex,

    Can you see the top of the dowel in there? (As in the top of the pedal lyre). Or is it a blind dowel?

    If the joint is loose enough to dis-assemble it, you can do so and of course reglue and replace the wedge so that the dowel is fully tight and does what it was designed to do. 

    I have also successfully filled the joint with thin epoxy applied slowly with syringe directly at the joint all the way around. Fill it as full as possible. Heat applied to the wood will help thin the epoxy and improve penetration. It works. 

    Obviously in either case the leg must be removed.

     Pwg

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    Peter Grey
    Stratham NH
    603-686-2395
    pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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  • 5.  RE: Loose leg joint

    Member
    Posted 06-01-2021 20:59
    Peter

    I discovered that the joint was loose when I raised the piano with a jack to place it on the dolly. I have not taken the leg off, but as far down as the joint is, I would be surprised if a dowel goes all the way to the top. However, saying that, I have no idea how these joints are made.

    The epoxy may be the way to go.

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    Rex Roseman
    Akron OH
    330-289-2948
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  • 6.  RE: Loose leg joint

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-01-2021 22:33
    Rex,

    Im pretty sure that standard SS procedure was to make it a blind joint. Its about a 3" or so split "dowel" with a wedge so that when the parts are driven together the wedge bottoms out spreading the dowel very tightly (usually). Dis-assembly can be very difficult unless it is very loose. (If turns out that they did not so good that day and there's more glue than wood in there, it might come apart easier).  If it was me is try pulling it apart first. If that proved impossible or further destructive, then plan B.

    But yes, it should never come apart if you do a good job epoxying it. The key of course is to get the adhesive thoroughly saturated into every part of the joint. 

    Pwg

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