Pianotech

Hello!

On the horizon for our shop is possibly a 90's era Baldwin SF-10 with cracked bridges, and we're trying to set up an idea of what can be done and will be done.  From the initial report, most of the piano seems to be in good shape (no new pinblock/board needed at this time).  I remember seeing in old Journal ads that the Baldwin plate could be removed with the strings and pinblock still attached.  Has anyone actually done this?  Is it practical/reasonable?  The big issue is just getting the bridge repaired, and if the blocks and strings don't need to come out, it would be nice to know if that is an option.  No contracts/promises have been made, and a more thorough evaluation will be done later.  Just wanted to know what's possible with these Baldwins, as we don't see too many in our neck of the woods.

Thanks in advance!

------------------------------
Tom Dowell
Hulbert Piano
tom@hulbertpiano.com
262-221-0792
------------------------------

I'll try one more message before moving on:)



------------------------------
Tom Dowell
Hulbert Piano
tom@hulbertpiano.com
262-221-0792
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-23-2022 22:05
From: Thomas Dowell
Subject: Baldwin Plate Removal

Hello!

On the horizon for our shop is possibly a 90's era Baldwin SF-10 with cracked bridges, and we're trying to set up an idea of what can be done and will be done.  From the initial report, most of the piano seems to be in good shape (no new pinblock/board needed at this time).  I remember seeing in old Journal ads that the Baldwin plate could be removed with the strings and pinblock still attached.  Has anyone actually done this?  Is it practical/reasonable?  The big issue is just getting the bridge repaired, and if the blocks and strings don't need to come out, it would be nice to know if that is an option.  No contracts/promises have been made, and a more thorough evaluation will be done later.  Just wanted to know what's possible with these Baldwins, as we don't see too many in our neck of the woods.

Thanks in advance!

------------------------------
Tom Dowell
Hulbert Piano
tom@hulbertpiano.com
262-221-0792
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 5/25/2022 1:43:00 PM
From: Thomas Dowell
Subject: RE: Baldwin Plate Removal

I'll try one more message before moving on:)



------------------------------
Tom Dowell
Hulbert Piano
tom@hulbertpiano.com
262-221-0792
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-23-2022 22:05
From: Thomas Dowell
Subject: Baldwin Plate Removal

Hello!

On the horizon for our shop is possibly a 90's era Baldwin SF-10 with cracked bridges, and we're trying to set up an idea of what can be done and will be done.  From the initial report, most of the piano seems to be in good shape (no new pinblock/board needed at this time).  I remember seeing in old Journal ads that the Baldwin plate could be removed with the strings and pinblock still attached.  Has anyone actually done this?  Is it practical/reasonable?  The big issue is just getting the bridge repaired, and if the blocks and strings don't need to come out, it would be nice to know if that is an option.  No contracts/promises have been made, and a more thorough evaluation will be done later.  Just wanted to know what's possible with these Baldwins, as we don't see too many in our neck of the woods.

Thanks in advance!

------------------------------
Tom Dowell
Hulbert Piano
tom@hulbertpiano.com
262-221-0792
------------------------------

Thanks for the insight.  That's about what I thought.  I'll try to document and share what I find for others when this comes in.

Thanks again!

------------------------------
Tom Dowell
Hulbert Piano
tom@hulbertpiano.com
262-221-0792
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-25-2022 18:54
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Baldwin Plate Removal

Thomas

I recall hearing something similar, although I've never actually done this repair. You would need to release the tension on all the strings, remove the rim bolts, and any nose bolts. Then look at the side of the plate at the pin block area and see if there are any screws that might go through the plate, through the pin block, and into the inner rim. By this time, plates were not tightened down to the rim. You will need to measure the distance from the soundboard to the bottom of the plate all around the rim before attempting to lift the plate out. 

If this doesn't work, then removing all the strings and the plate screws in the pin block area would be the only alternative. What I have heard, however, is that Baldwin used dilignent pin blocks, and they don't like to be repinned.  

That's the best advice I can give you 

Wim

Original Message:
Sent: 5/25/2022 1:43:00 PM
From: Thomas Dowell
Subject: RE: Baldwin Plate Removal

I'll try one more message before moving on:)



------------------------------
Tom Dowell
Hulbert Piano
tom@hulbertpiano.com
262-221-0792

Original Message:
Sent: 05-23-2022 22:05
From: Thomas Dowell
Subject: Baldwin Plate Removal

Hello!

On the horizon for our shop is possibly a 90's era Baldwin SF-10 with cracked bridges, and we're trying to set up an idea of what can be done and will be done.  From the initial report, most of the piano seems to be in good shape (no new pinblock/board needed at this time).  I remember seeing in old Journal ads that the Baldwin plate could be removed with the strings and pinblock still attached.  Has anyone actually done this?  Is it practical/reasonable?  The big issue is just getting the bridge repaired, and if the blocks and strings don't need to come out, it would be nice to know if that is an option.  No contracts/promises have been made, and a more thorough evaluation will be done later.  Just wanted to know what's possible with these Baldwins, as we don't see too many in our neck of the woods.

Thanks in advance!

------------------------------
Tom Dowell
Hulbert Piano
tom@hulbertpiano.com
262-221-0792
------------------------------