CAUT

  • 1.  Pneumatic Fallboard Closer System

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-18-2020 19:04
      |   view attached
    Hi All-
    I have been asked to install a Pneumatic Fallboard soft closer system on a Steinway L.  This is not a regular customer and was referred to me from across the country.  This product is new to me and I'm inclined to decline, but wanted to ask if anyone here can speak in favor of them or if you have had any relevant experiences.  I attached the product description and installation instructions below.  The owner is concerned his kids may slam the fallboard down accidentally and hurt themselves.  I think it's a significant modification I'm not that comfortable with. 
    thank you!
    Dennis Johnson
    St. Olaf College, Music. 


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    Dennis Johnson, R.P.T.
    St. Olaf College
    Music Dept.
    Northfield, MN 55337
    sta2ned@stolaf.edu
    (507) 786-3587
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    Attachment(s)



  • 2.  RE: Pneumatic Fallboard Closer System

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-18-2020 19:18
    FWIW, he can jam a wedge mute, or cardboard, or fold paper, etc. between the fall and the cheek and get the same protection for a few $100s less :-)  And his cat could claw a hole in the bellows, making the device non-functional. That device isn't something I'd be willing to install.
    Regards,
    Fred Sturm
    "Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it." Brecht






  • 3.  RE: Pneumatic Fallboard Closer System

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-18-2020 22:49
    Hi Dennis:
    I've installed several of these. It's not that complicated. There is a wire/cord that attaches to the fallboard, then holes are drilled in the keyframe and the keybed for the wire to pass through to the bottom of the keybed. A bellows is attached underneath so that the wire can connect to it. A few small adjustments, adding a strain relief to the bottom of the hole, and you're done. It does work. I had some problems with the attachment to the fallboard, which is basically a screw-eye. I've had them pull out of their mounting hole, and sometimes there isn't much for the screw to embed itself into. If you thought this was complicated, there's another version that mounts on the inside of the action cavity.
    Good luck.
    Paul McCloud




  • 4.  RE: Pneumatic Fallboard Closer System

    Member
    Posted 02-19-2020 00:09
    This system  looks like a real kluge to me even if it does work. I have used small wedges between the fall board side and rim in situations like this and it keeps the fall board from closing and slamming down. I have seen some rather elaborate slow close hardware installed inside the action cavity that uses a small hydraulic piston to slowly close the fall board over the keys. One system was on a Baldwin Artist Grand and another on a Suzuki upright. A google search may show other after market devices . I am not sure I would install any of these but I would advise using wedges to hold the fall board open most of the time. At some point kids can be shown how to open and close it safely.

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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    843-325-4357
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  • 5.  RE: Pneumatic Fallboard Closer System

    Posted 02-19-2020 03:23
    Hi Dennis, I installed one of these on a piano I owned and eventually the eye screw pulled out. That screw is the weak link in the product. I found the over all product disappointing.
    You could make a simple U shaped piece of wood to clamp over the stretcher and fallboard. Perhaps line the inside of the U with felt. 





  • 6.  RE: Pneumatic Fallboard Closer System

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-19-2020 10:10
    In the category of child safety devices, there are many curved foam pieces designed to prevent doors from slamming shut. These can be pushed over the edge of the fallboard. I’ve also rigged a wire that holds the fallboard by anchoring to a tuning pin (with appropriate felt, of course).

    —Cy—




  • 7.  RE: Pneumatic Fallboard Closer System

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 02-29-2020 14:03
    What a crazy device. There are easier ways to accomplish this...

    https://www.amazon.com/s?k=piano+fallboard+slow+closing&ref=nb_sb_noss 

    I have installed several of these. They are inexpensive, easy to install and work well.

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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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