Piano refinishing/refurbishing

[Russell Miller]

Hi,

I recently finished rebuilding my automobile engine successfully, and now
I'd like to take on another project of comparable difficulty. And lo and
behold, I have such a project in front of me.

I recently acquired a Lester Betsy Ross Spinet, CA 1920. It's not in too
bad shape - the hammers are scored and probably will require reshaping or
what-not eventually. Some of the joint pins on the bottom are missing and
the keys are connected with wire, and some of the wooden receptacles for
the pins have one side broken. However, it does sound good, and is very
sturdy. The finish is marred and pocked with scratches.

I acquired this piano for free, so it's not exactly like I've got too much
invested in it. And it's not like I'm on a time constraint. Probably
won't start it till next summer, anyway, last year I tried working on my
engine in an unheated garage and got very sick 'cuz of it.

I want to learn how to refurbish and refinish it. I was looking at some
other threads and I'm aware of the expenses and risks. Let's assume for
the moment that I am going to go through with it anyway. Where would I go
for information on how to begin and complete it, what materials to use and
have available, where to find parts, etc? I am not intending to get into
the business and compete with any of you (though that could change in the
future :), I just want a project to do that will require a lot of patience
and skill and time, that I can plonk down at the piano and think "I did
this myself". It's not about the expense.

I am looking to refinish it with a black lacquer finish. And as far as the
action goes, I don't want to go messing with it any more than I have to,
but I'd like to get it into a condition where the hammers are in good shape
and the joints don't have to be held together with wire anymore. And the
hammers are optional, even, considering the fact that it still sounds good
and they may be more trouble than they're worth.

Thanks in advance for any help.

--Russell

[Greg Casper]

You might take a look at Arthur Reblitz book called "Piano Servicing, Tuning
& Rebuilding". It's a fairly good resource to get started with.

Post by Russell Miller
Hi,
I recently finished rebuilding my automobile engine successfully, and now
I'd like to take on another project of comparable difficulty. And lo and
behold, I have such a project in front of me.
I recently acquired a Lester Betsy Ross Spinet, CA 1920. It's not in too
bad shape - the hammers are scored and probably will require reshaping or
what-not eventually. Some of the joint pins on the bottom are missing and
the keys are connected with wire, and some of the wooden receptacles for
the pins have one side broken. However, it does sound good, and is very
sturdy. The finish is marred and pocked with scratches.
I acquired this piano for free, so it's not exactly like I've got too much
invested in it. And it's not like I'm on a time constraint. Probably
won't start it till next summer, anyway, last year I tried working on my
engine in an unheated garage and got very sick 'cuz of it.
I want to learn how to refurbish and refinish it. I was looking at some
other threads and I'm aware of the expenses and risks. Let's assume for
the moment that I am going to go through with it anyway. Where would I go
for information on how to begin and complete it, what materials to use and
have available, where to find parts, etc? I am not intending to get into
the business and compete with any of you (though that could change in the
future :), I just want a project to do that will require a lot of patience
and skill and time, that I can plonk down at the piano and think "I did
this myself". It's not about the expense.
I am looking to refinish it with a black lacquer finish. And as far as the
action goes, I don't want to go messing with it any more than I have to,
but I'd like to get it into a condition where the hammers are in good shape
and the joints don't have to be held together with wire anymore. And the
hammers are optional, even, considering the fact that it still sounds good
and they may be more trouble than they're worth.
Thanks in advance for any help.
--Russell