Repairs - Introduction
Training ... Experience ... and the Right Tool for the Right Job
It is important to distinguish between a piano tuner and a piano technician. There are some people who have learned to tune pianos (well or not - see my page on Tuning), but have never been trained to work on the mechanical parts of the piano. Although it is possible to learn to fix a machine by trial and error, this means that someone's piano (possibly yours) is being experimented on. The piano mechanism is complicated enough that a sloppy or improper repair can cause other problems which did not originally exist.
I was shown how to diagnose and perform all the common repairs before
I ever started tuning pianos for the public. I worked on pianos and old
left-over parts which were provided by my instructors, and I ruined a lot
of those "throw away" parts while I was learning. But those parts were
not going into anyone's piano, and I certainly wasn't charging anyone for
my "learning
experience" - in fact, I was the one paying money!
Since that training in 1982, I have passed the rigorous, standardized tuning and technical examinations offered by the Piano Technicians Guild. During the technical exam, which is entirely hands-on, I had to demonstrate that I could perform common repairs properly within the time limits of the test.
Along with my experience, I bring an extensive set
of tools, most of which are designed especially for work on piano parts.
I bring several types of glues and lubricants. I bring many spare parts
and can order any special parts which I don't carry with me. I also bring
piano wire in a variety of guages, and tools which allow me to repair
or replace strings.