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broken sticker

  • 1.  broken sticker

    Posted 05-29-2020 10:25

    I recently broke the sticker on an old full upright. I was putting a key back in when it happened. I've searched through all my parts inventory and don't have a replacement. I was wondering if I can purchase a similar one from somebody, or if someone has a work around or repair advice.

    This came from the middle of her piano. While at her home, and after having broken it, I switched it with the whippen from C8. But of course the C8 whippen has no spoon. So she is able to use the key but can not raise the damper while using it. My intent was, and this is what I explained to her, as a temporary remedy while I repaired this broken one.

    Thanks.



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    Gary Howell
    Buckeye Piano Tuning
    Massillon OH
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  • 2.  RE: broken sticker

    Posted 05-29-2020 10:31
    Hi Gary,

    Have you tried gluing it? I would. Especially as there is nothing to lose if you're going to replace it anyway.

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    Jonathon Lorek
    Painesville OH
    440-290-6642
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  • 3.  RE: broken sticker

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-29-2020 10:36
    Hi Gary:
    You might un-pin the broken sticker from the wippen and pin the sticker from the good one (C8) to it. I don't think there's a bushing there, just a hole for the pin, so it should be easy to remove and replace the pin. As for a replacement sticker, we'd need some measurements like length and distance between the holes on it. I see in my Pacific Piano catalog that there are adjustable stickers for sale where you can fashion a custom replacement. You can call them 818 700-2100 and ask about them. My shop isn't nearby, but it's possible I might have a replacement. I'd have to check later, but need your measurements.
    Paul McCloud
    San Diego


    Gary Howell

    I recently broke the sticker on an old full upright. I was putting a key back in when it happened. I've searched through all my parts inventory and don't have a replacement. I was wondering if I can purchase a similar one from somebody, or if someone has a work around or repair advice.

    This came from the middle of her piano. While at her home, and after having broken it, I switched it with the whippen from C8. But of course the C8 whippen has no spoon. So she is able to use the key but can not raise the damper while using it. My intent was, and this is what I explained to her, as a temporary remedy while I repaired this broken one.

    Thanks.

    ------------------------------
    Gary Howell
    Buckeye Piano Tuning
    Massillon OH





  • 4.  RE: broken sticker

    Posted 05-29-2020 10:46
    Yes, I should have included measurements. sorry. 
    the sticker is 5 1/2 inches long in total, including the felt at the bottom. 
    the pin to pin length is 4 1/4 inches.

    ------------------------------
    Gary Howell
    Buckeye Piano Tuning
    Massillon OH
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: broken sticker

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-29-2020 10:56
    Hi Gary,

    I use KwikWeld (JB Weld)

    I was called to tune a rebuilt Sohmer Grand piano. I noticed there was a broken hammer shank (concert the next day - naturally).

    I used KwikWeld by holding the shank parts together with my hands for 6 minutes, then later added a small collar of KwikWeld around the epoxied area just to be sure.

    I was sent a video of the performance the next day - no problem. It's held ever since. 

    https://www.jbweld.com/product/kwikweld-twin-tube

    Paul.

    ------------------------------
    Paul Brown, RPT
    Past President
    Piano Technicians Guild
    Vancouver, BC Canada
    Email: ipp@ptg.org
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: broken sticker

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-29-2020 11:40
    I've used Coleman's CA glue for many of these kinds of repairs. The only thing is, getting all those splinters to realign is like going back to before the "big bang" started creation. Then, even if you have everything perfectly aligned, the glue will fill the hole (because inevitably the break happens where the pin hole is).
    A splint of veneer is helpful, glued on either side across the break, to add strength. Maybe drill a hole in the splint so that a pin could be inserted.
    Paul McCloud


    Hi Gary,

    I use KwikWeld (JB Weld)

    I was called to tune a rebuilt Sohmer Grand piano. I noticed there was a broken hammer shank (concert the next day - naturally).

    I used KwikWeld by holding the shank parts together with my hands for 6 minutes, then later added a small collar of KwikWeld around the epoxied area just to be sure.

    I was sent a video of the performance the next day - no problem. It's held ever since.

    www.jbweld.com/product/kwikweld-twin-tube

    Paul.

    ------------------------------
    Paul Brown, RPT
    Past President
    Piano Technicians Guild
    Vancouver, BC Canada
    Email: ipp@ptg.org





  • 7.  RE: broken sticker

    Posted 05-29-2020 12:39
    Instead of salvaging from C8, take it from A#7.

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

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



  • 8.  RE: broken sticker

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-29-2020 13:12
    Or from A#-0

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    Larry Messerly, RPT
    Bringing Harmony to Homes
    www.lacrossepianotuning.com
    ljmesserly@gmail.com
    928-899-7292
    ------------------------------



  • 9.  RE: broken sticker

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-29-2020 14:44
    Yes, and using the wippen from A#0 will provide that needed damper spoon you mentioned, Gary.

    Alan

    ------------------------------
    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
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  • 10.  RE: broken sticker

    Posted 05-29-2020 15:09
    I would definitely see if you can get the parts to align. Then glue with thin CA glue followed by accelerator. 

    Remove the pin so that only the sticker will be glued. Apply thin CA glue on each side, press together, then spray or drip on some accelerator. Keep pressing it together, and I would drip some more CA around the broken area. It should cure quickly. Then get the dried CA out of the hole with the hole sizer from your center pinning tools, and repin. Should work fine.

    If not, then repin the wippen and use a different sticker, as others have suggested.

    John Formsma, RPT
    New Albany, MS





  • 11.  RE: broken sticker

    Posted 05-29-2020 15:40
    I would be inclined to replace the sticker with the one from A#7. Glue the broken one back together, a wooden splint will strengthen it. Install the repaired sticker on A#7 wippen, it will get minimal use.

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

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



  • 12.  RE: broken sticker

    Posted 05-29-2020 16:02
    Yeah, that's a good idea, Jon. 

    John Formsma, RPT
    New Albany, MS





  • 13.  RE: broken sticker

    Member
    Posted 05-30-2020 18:59
    I think the spoon in the middle section is on the opposite side of the wippen as one in the bass section. The last dampers past the treble break have the spoon on the same side as the bass. I did see one guy who bent the spoon like ,,, I couldn't believe it. How he got the screw to tighten was the work of an artist.

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    Keith Roberts
    owner
    Hathaway Pines CA
    209-770-4312
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