Pianotech

  • 1.  Straightening lyre rods?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-31-2019 14:22
    Hi List,
    Ate there any known, simple methods for straightening bent lyre rods? This is very common for Steinways especially with the locking plate. I think it’s generally a piano movers’ error- not shimming the trap levers clear of the rods when fitting the locking plates (with lots of force.). Obviously replacement is one option, and I have shimmed the rod guide to prevent bent rods from slamming into the lyre top, or the shift lever, but that is a stop gap. Is there a good way to “roll” the rods true (sort of like rolling clay to make worms and snakes?)

    Joe


  • 2.  RE: Straightening lyre rods?

    Posted 06-01-2019 00:44
    We have had similar problems in the past and we took them to a local machine shop in Champaign, IL.  In one case, it was too severe so he just made a new one for us.  I remember it was a little pricey, but it was perfect.    Ted

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    Ted Rohde
    Central Illinois
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  • 3.  RE: Straightening lyre rods?

    Posted 06-02-2019 10:31
    What's so hard about unbending a bent pedal rod?

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
    http://www.pianocapecod.com
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  • 4.  RE: Straightening lyre rods?

    Member
    Posted 06-02-2019 11:46
    We had a pool table when I was a kid. Dad made a block of wood that sat on the the iron stair railing to straighten the cues. Pattern yourself an arc that is long of radius and a slight flat spot in the center. Make two and afix them to a block of wood like this,,  )(   Clamp in vise
    Sight down the rod and you can figure out the rest.

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    Keith Roberts
    owner
    Hathaway Pines CA
    209-728-2163
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  • 5.  RE: Straightening lyre rods?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-02-2019 19:57
    Thanks Keith, I'll give that a shot.





  • 6.  RE: Straightening lyre rods?

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 06-02-2019 19:59
    HI John,
    I've found difficulty in the past to figure out where exactly the bend originates so that I can tweak it to the correct position.  Too many messed up corrections, and I can start to see the image of a mangled damper wire.

    Thanks for your reply.

    Joe

    Joe 








  • 7.  RE: Straightening lyre rods?

    Posted 06-03-2019 06:33
    It might be easier to just replace.

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    Regards,

    Jon Page
    mailto:jonpage@pianocapecod.com
    http://www.pianocapecod.com