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prevent fallboard from closing on fingers

  • 1.  prevent fallboard from closing on fingers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-18-2024 17:15

    Hello colleagues,

    A piano teacher asked me about a jig or clamp of sorts, to keep their grand fallboards from closing. The pianos in the studio do not have slow-close functionality, and some students have closed it on their fingers previously.

    I've seen some not-so-good homemade jigs in the past, and I believe I saw a commercially produced product for sale a few years ago. I wish I had bookmarked it, because I can't seem to find it online now. Does anyone know of a product like this that can hold a grand fallboard in the open-position, essentially clamping it onto the plate on the other side of the stretcher?

    Thanks.



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    Brad Fant, RPT
    Charlotte, NC
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  • 2.  RE: prevent fallboard from closing on fingers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-18-2024 17:43

    Hey Brad,

    This can work (and you can paint them) https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Amerimax-Home-Products-2-in-x-3-in-White-Vinyl-Downspout-Clip-M0634-30/100071730?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&pla&mtc=SHOPPING-CM-CML-GGL-D22-022_010_ROOFING-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-5718363-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-Pmax-CL3TestA&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-CM-CML-GGL-D22-022_010_ROOFING-NA-NA-NA-PMAX-5718363-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NEW-Pmax-CL3TestA-71700000103694446--&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADq61UezrgCVyGgNih3B01_miiZ2A&gclid=Cj0KCQjwt4a2BhD6ARIsALgH7DolNcisN3iYq1OYZjhWwITYTnm_kAS2i-WhwJj89HGkbDyVtapyoLUaAnMjEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

    Otherwise it isn't hard to manufacture something out of wood or brass once you have the measurements. We're working on a universal design for PROPTN that we should have up soon 



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    Morgan T. Cowell, RPT
    Great Plains Piano Company
    www.greatplainspiano.com
    Chapter President, Nebraska
    2023 PTG Institute Director
    402-239-7876
    morgan@greatplainspiano.com
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  • 3.  RE: prevent fallboard from closing on fingers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-18-2024 18:44

    It's Jurgen Goering who showed us to use a cute beanbag character to protect the student's hands while being usable in all sorts of educational ways.

    I thought it was brilliant !



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    Allan Sutton, m.mus. RPT
    Saint-Laurent QC
    (514) 344-8008
    www.pianotechniquemontreal.com
    www.facebook.com/pianotechniquemontreal
    twitter: @allansutton
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: prevent fallboard from closing on fingers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-18-2024 19:27
    Now THAT is genius!!



    Original Message


  • 5.  RE: prevent fallboard from closing on fingers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-19-2024 01:46
    Another solution is “museum putty” which is used to keep picture frames from tilting.


    Robert B Edwardsen
    Registered Piano Technician
    21 Courtenay Circle
    Pittsford NY 14534
    585-586-1360
    edwardsenpianoservice.com
    eedward2@rochester.rr.com

    Sent from my HAL 9000


    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: prevent fallboard from closing on fingers

    Member
    Posted 08-19-2024 00:46

    Hi Brad,

    For high-polish grand pianos without a slow-close, I've had some success placing a thin self-adhesive felt pad on one or both inner sides of the arms. This friction allows the key lid to close but offers enough resistance that lowering the lid requires some effort. Not recommend for satin finishes. Cheers!



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    Brian Fox
    San Carlos CA
    (650) 759-9002
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  • 7.  RE: prevent fallboard from closing on fingers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-19-2024 11:20

    Go to Amazon. Do a search for "piano lid slow close". Pick one. They're all about the same. I've used them and they do the job. Two caveats: I seem to remember that Steinway lids rest closer to the keys than normal and as a result they don't leave enough room for this device when closed. I could be wrong. Also, when you install it make sure it is absolutely square with the lid, otherwise it won't move correctly and can cause squeaks and wear marks. Oh, and a third: Make sure the owner knows not to force the lid closed. Even with factory built in slow close mechanisms forcing the lid closed can damage the hydraulics and cause a leak. 



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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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  • 8.  RE: prevent fallboard from closing on fingers

    Member
    Posted 08-20-2024 19:11

    Cut two black rubber mutes and jam them between the case and fallboard  



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    James Kelly
    Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
    Pawleys Island SC
    (843) 325-4357
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  • 9.  RE: prevent fallboard from closing on fingers

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 08-25-2024 12:19

    Thank you for your suggestions, everyone!



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    Brad Fant, RPT
    Charlotte, NC
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    Original Message