Antique Machinery in Piano Factories

One of the photos shows a long-bed lathe. Not sure what that was used for. Probably not for making the pins for the long hinges! It was quite a large factory, so the lathe may have been for works maintenance purposes.

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JimBobinSC said:

I am a piano technician and researcher trying to find pictures and information of antique machinery used in piano factories in the mid 1800's until about 1930. My focus has been on Chickering & Sons huge factory built in Boston in 1853/1854 and which had a large amount of steam powered/belt driven machinery that would include planers, saws, veneer equipment , gluing machines . The company had an inhouse machine shop and one of their longest aerving employees was a machinist. Much of the early machinery in the factory was built in either Lawrence or Lowell Mass. One trademark of the company was its use of brass in the actions of their pianos. I have the names of some machines that may have been used but would like pictures and descriptions so I am hoping some members of the forum may be able to help.

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Asquith said:

Bill,

I once had a boss who would never admit to ignorance of anything. In meetings, when he didn't understand something, he would say 'For the benefit of the others, perhaps you'll explain....'.

So, for the benefit of the others, can you explain 'overwinding strings'?

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L Vanice said:

Good explanation of why it is done here.
The Piano Deconstructed

How it is done here.
YouTube

And again here, no English, but with the sound of the wire being strummed before and after the copper is wound onto the steel wire, so you can hear the difference.
https://video.search.yahoo.com/vide...j3wMBVc26X-XEjcU&_guc_consent_skip=1591372392

An old (1912) American wire string specialist, but no pics of their machinery. They do mention their 1898 patent on a piano string winding machine.
ABOUT OUR STRINGS - Mapes Strings

Anyway, the Youtube examples above use completely home built special winding machines, not ordinary metal lathes.

Larry

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