CAUT

Hi fellow college and university techs,

A Mason BB I take care of has a damper pedal with a hole worn right through it (see picture). It is actually playable at the moment, but when the remaining piece at the tip breaks (any day now)  there will be jagged edges sticking out. Is it feasible to repair this pedal, maybe by having someone weld on additional material? Has anyone tried this kind of repair? Schaff does not seem to carry an exact replacement, which is one reason to try to keep it in service. On the other hand, finding a replacement may be less trouble than hiring someone to do a specialized repair. 

Thanks,

Ben Webster

UNM-Albuquerque

Hi fellow college and university techs,

A Mason BB I take care of has a damper pedal with a hole worn right through it (see picture). It is actually playable at the moment, but when the remaining piece at the tip breaks (any day now)  there will be jagged edges sticking out. Is it feasible to repair this pedal, maybe by having someone weld on additional material? Has anyone tried this kind of repair? Schaff does not seem to carry an exact replacement, which is one reason to try to keep it in service. On the other hand, finding a replacement may be less trouble than hiring someone to do a specialized repair. 

Thanks,

Ben Webster

UNM-Albuquerque

Hi fellow college and university techs,

A Mason BB I take care of has a damper pedal with a hole worn right through it (see picture). It is actually playable at the moment, but when the remaining piece at the tip breaks (any day now)  there will be jagged edges sticking out. Is it feasible to repair this pedal, maybe by having someone weld on additional material? Has anyone tried this kind of repair? Schaff does not seem to carry an exact replacement, which is one reason to try to keep it in service. On the other hand, finding a replacement may be less trouble than hiring someone to do a specialized repair. 

Thanks,

Ben Webster

UNM-Albuquerque

Hi fellow college and university techs,

A Mason BB I take care of has a damper pedal with a hole worn right through it (see picture). It is actually playable at the moment, but when the remaining piece at the tip breaks (any day now)  there will be jagged edges sticking out. Is it feasible to repair this pedal, maybe by having someone weld on additional material? Has anyone tried this kind of repair? Schaff does not seem to carry an exact replacement, which is one reason to try to keep it in service. On the other hand, finding a replacement may be less trouble than hiring someone to do a specialized repair. 

Thanks,

Ben Webster

UNM-Albuquerque

Hi fellow college and university techs,

A Mason BB I take care of has a damper pedal with a hole worn right through it (see picture). It is actually playable at the moment, but when the remaining piece at the tip breaks (any day now)  there will be jagged edges sticking out. Is it feasible to repair this pedal, maybe by having someone weld on additional material? Has anyone tried this kind of repair? Schaff does not seem to carry an exact replacement, which is one reason to try to keep it in service. On the other hand, finding a replacement may be less trouble than hiring someone to do a specialized repair. 

Thanks,

Ben Webster

UNM-Albuquerque

Thought I'd post the outcome in case anyone is interested. I have no access to welding gear and no experience, so I ended up finding a welder via my school's physical plant department. He brazed the pedal with something called Quicksilver, a phosphorous-copper alloy. In my opinion he did a very nice job. He not only filled the hole, but built the metal back up to its original profile. The filler is a different color, but this is a practice room piano so that's not an issue. The cost was about $150, more than a new set of pedals would cost, but it saved me the work of modifying the box. The best part is that I now know a good, affordable welder.

Thank you all again for your input.

Hi fellow college and university techs,

A Mason BB I take care of has a damper pedal with a hole worn right through it (see picture). It is actually playable at the moment, but when the remaining piece at the tip breaks (any day now)  there will be jagged edges sticking out. Is it feasible to repair this pedal, maybe by having someone weld on additional material? Has anyone tried this kind of repair? Schaff does not seem to carry an exact replacement, which is one reason to try to keep it in service. On the other hand, finding a replacement may be less trouble than hiring someone to do a specialized repair. 

Thanks,

Ben Webster

UNM-Albuquerque