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PINBLOCK (WRESTPLANK) REPLACEMENT/STRIPPING THE MAIN CASE
Having completed the recapping of the bridges, the soundboard was scraped of the old finish and sanded.2 coats of sealer was sprayed on followed by 3 coats of top coat (pic2).
Now attention was focused on the pinblock.
This would have to be replaced although it must be said that the original still held the tuning pins pretty firmly, on a complete restoration of which this is, the pinblock is replaced as a matter of course.
On late Steinways, the block is easier to remove as it sits at either end on a shelf attached in part by wooden dowels accessable from the top.Our piano is of a vintage whereby the block is morticed into the case of the piano and the only way to access the dowels is by cutting away part of the casework to get to the ends of the block at both sides(4/5).After the casework was removed to reveal the end of the pinblock, attention was turned to where it wasattached to the front stretcher.This also was glued and dowelled(15). Holes were drilled and chiselled out so that a saw could be inserted and a cut was made the length of the pinblock(6). So now we have just to drill out the dowells at the ends and finally a jack was put under the block to ease it loose. Once removed a new block was made to pattern and dowelled and glued in.Many hours were spent testing the fit .This necessitated suspending the frame on a hoist so that adjustment could be made to the pinblock to finally acheive a perfect mating with the frame.I think the frame was lifted in and out about 8 times before the adjustments were correct(14). Next job was to make good the inner side of the case where material had been removed(20/21). Once it was built up again, rosewood veneer was glued on to match the rest of the piano(23/24).
Next job was to strip the casework,this was an exciting time as for the first time in maybe over 100 years, the bare rosewood would be revealed.As can be seen from the pictures,this was no dissappointment as the true quality of the veneer could be seen for the first time(25/26).
There was very little casework repairing to do except at the bottom of the front corner where it had been repaired before quite crudely, so this was attended to and then it will be time to prepare and refinish the casework.
Next time....Prepare and refinish the main case
Prepare and refinish the frame and fit to case.
Adjust bearings in preparation for re stringing.
To be Continued.........
If you have any questions or just plainly interested,we would be happy to receive your comments.
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