Rare piano key repair

[Colin Nicholson]

Went to tune (pitch raise) a 1950s Hopkinson upright yesterday.... and noticed C# (octave above middle C#) key had collapsed into the 'on' position. "Could be a part missing" I said to the customer. When I opened it up, the keys were dog legged with a partially dropped action. Took action out and noticed the lower 'deck' key section had come apart where it was originally glued (the back of the key). Didn't have my clamps on me, so progressed and started to tune the rest. Another 3 keys in the treble did the same - broke apart, so those notes couldn't be tuned. Bass end was fine.... but I told the customer, any key could break like this giving no notice.

probably caused by central heating/ dry glue joints. Took the 4 keys home, and repaired fine. There's nothing to 'butt' the sections up to - no rebate/ tenon/ dowel.... just plain flat wood to glue together. Checked the distance from the 'elbow' to the centre of the capstan was uniform.... 41mm, and made sure the elbows matched.... and so, awaiting to return to install keys & finish tuning. Might be a thankless task doing the rest of the keys.... and the piano might be moved up to Newcastle! (someone may be watching this space?)

Herrburger Brooks must have a had an off-day designing these keys!! .... very weak joints. I have noticed later Bentley pianos have these keys, but all one complete section of wood.

Anyway, although a simple repair/ criss crossed the glued parts to roughen them, clamped fine in a vice.... jumped on them 10 times and not budging an inch, I have recommended that the customer has the other 81 keys re-glued.

Anyone had this kind of repair ?? (see below) ....

[Johnkie]

I've seen this on quite a few models, not just Hopkinson. I normally just clamp the two parts into the correct position, and then drill through from the bottom using a sixteenth drill bit. Then release the clamp, apply glue, and simply screw both parts together. I generally have everything to hand in my car boot, and do this there and then at the customer's house. Once the screw is in, it's serviceable almost immediately

[Colin Nicholson]

ta for that. Yeh.... funnily enough, was using most of my G clamps on some key chasings (another job), and have plenty 1/16 screws in the workshop, but didn't think a job like that would arise..., learning every day! The lady has agreed to having the rest done, then the piano may be moved to your neck of the woods Johnkie. This is the lady you put my name forward. The room is empty, but heating was on full.... so asked her to switch it off for now. Rest of piano is fine, and pitch raised 1/4 tone OK.... might need tweaking on my return.