Hi, David,
Trust your instincts.
I've done it. Twice. Once on a 121 Quarter Grand; and once on a 116. No more...unless for an unimaginable fee.
While WNG may now have flanges that will work, they weren't around the first time I did it. That time, a machinist friend made new parts for me...once; and that cost me a case of Oban in addition to T & M.
The second time around, someone else had already purchased wooden parts, so those were what I used. Far too much modification required for too little return on the investment of time. While the end result eventually worked, I was never even marginally pleased with the outcome. In retrospect, had I followed my gut and made a new rep support flange rail, the outcome _might_ have been more rewarding.
On net, as much as I love those older pianos, I've gradually come to the opinion that, should one feel an overwhelming need to work on these things, one should own them outright first; and then decide how much time one can invest for how much negative extrinsic return.
All of that negativity aside, a friend has spent much of the last year doing exactly that for an early 20th C Chickering full concert grand. Their very wise, in my view, decision was to contract with an action builder to design and construct a complete replacement. The results have been quite marvelous. I'll leave it to them to speak to their ongoing adventure with their project.
Obviously, YMMV.
Kind regards.
Horace
Original Message
Original Message:
Sent: 4/30/2024 1:50:00 PM
From: Larry Messerly
Subject: RE: Chickering Brass hammer flange conversion to wooden flanges
It's been done but I doubt on a quarter grand. Contact WN&G
------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 04-30-2024 12:31
From: David Love
Subject: Chickering Brass hammer flange conversion to wooden flanges
Has anyone done this and can share their experience? I'm considering doing it and haven't even looked into what's involved but have thought about it over the years on occasion (until my need for sanity compelled me to abandon the thought).
------------------------------
David Love RPT
www.davidlovepianos.com
davidlovepianos@comcast.net
415 407 8320
------------------------------