Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info
MMD > Archives > July 2014 > 2014.07.20 > 08Prev  Next


Cracked Piano Frame in Seeburg Nickelodeon
By Jack Hardman

If you can't find a new plate, I would try to salvage the old cracked
plate.  I have had excellent results from using pure nickel welding
wire or rod to repair cast iron steam radiators, several engine
manifolds, and quite a few other broken castings in general.

Remove all the strings and tension, remove the plate from the piano,
grind a Vee-shaped groove all around the length of the crack, top,
one-third depth.  If it's convenient to do so, I'd preheat the plate
at the crack with a blow torch, or some sort of gas flame (it doesn't
have to be red hot). 

Rotating the plate as needed, weld the crack always in down-hand
position, welding long side, opposite long side, short side, opposite
short side, adding additional weld filling as required until you can
cool the plate for a day, and grind and fill the shape to match the
original casting profile and make the weld sort of disappear.  Fill
any remaining gaps or holes on the profile with epoxy (or Bondo) and
go on to paint finish.

Good luck in finding a plate, but if you can't find one, I'd sure try
welding, and I'll bet it works.  I'd be interested to learn of your
results if you have to weld.

Jack Hardman


(Message sent Sun 20 Jul 2014, 13:18:59 GMT, from time zone GMT-0400.)

Key Words in Subject:  Cracked, Frame, Nickelodeon, Piano, Seeburg

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page