You can definitely epoxy it. Doing it in place at the piano is preferred, but that requires being 100% confident in the product you pick for that alloy. Afterward, you can provide some insurance and peace of mind by adding reinforcers, epoxied in place beyond both sides of the crack.
Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2024 18:59
From: Steven Rosenthal
Subject: Kimball Console Action Bracket Needed
Paul, I was thinking the same thing regarding alignment. Maybe the hole was drilled inaccurately in the wooden plate insert, you might want to come prepared to plug it and redrill. Your fix sounds good but it probably wouldn't take the stress any better than the original did. (bad place for a break!)
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Steven Rosenthal RPT
Honolulu HI
(808) 521-7129
Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2024 18:46
From: James Kelly
Subject: Kimball Console Action Bracket Needed
I was thinking jb weld as a possible fix. We really should have a few shipping containers turned into a parts depot that rebuilders and technicians could send their leftover parts to for recycling. I have two actions out of Baldwin acrosonics plus a full key set removed from pianos damaged by flood waters and neglect . I bet there is a tech out there with a few action brackets you could use. We need something like the pick and pull car junk yards they have here except it would be for pianos .....
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James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2024 16:40
From: Paul McCloud
Subject: Kimball Console Action Bracket Needed
I called Jim this morning. He thought he had a bracket, but it wasn't the right one. I asked if he had any other parts for a Kimball piano, and he said only the pedal brackets, which he said were made out of maple by him.
So, I decided to JB weld it. I used some galvanized pipe strap on either side of the brackets with a lot of JB Quick which I filled in underneath to provide support for the two strap pieces, then drilled 3 holes and put screws through the sides of the bracket for extra support. My only thought is that it's likely that there was some misalignment of the screws/holes in the plate, which some previous tech had to force into place, thus breaking the bottom of the bracket. Otherwise I've never seen brackets break like that.
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Paul McCloud, RPT
Accutone Piano Service
www.AccutonePianoService.com
pavadasa@gmail.com
Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2024 15:32
From: James Kelly
Subject: Kimball Console Action Bracket Needed
Maybe Jim Geiger in Texas can help you. I am not sure that the bracket could take a weld. I had some fins that broke on a washer machine on the outside of the drum. Material looked like that sort of a pot metal. Supply 88 might be able to duplicate a bracket or maybe make one of wood. Don't laugh. Chickering grands used action brackets that where laminated and solid as a rock
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James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
Original Message:
Sent: 01-27-2024 12:11
From: John Zeiner
Subject: Kimball Console Action Bracket Needed
Paul,
Talk to someone at a good welding shop, or even a Vo-Tech school.
Ask them about warping so there's not an alignment problem after the weld.
John
Original Message:
Sent: 1/27/2024 11:52:00 AM
From: Paul McCloud
Subject: Kimball Console Action Bracket Needed
I've got a Kimball console with a broken action bracket. Does anyone have one, or know where I could purchase one? How about 3D printing one? I do have the broken piece, but I"m not sure how to reattach it so it would be as strong as new.
Thanks very much.
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Paul McCloud, RPT
Accutone Piano Service
www.AccutonePianoService.com
pavadasa@gmail.com
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