kind of wood

[Micky]

I have a Brinsmead upright piano made between 1931 and 1940. It has recently been moved from storage to my new address and in the process the removal firm lost the front panel (I know, unbelievable!). In order that they can have a new one made, I need to find out what kind of wood it is made from. Can anybody suggest how I can find this information please?

Micky

[dancarney]

The bottom panel (bottom door) will probably made out of the same wood... You could supply them with that, it might help.

[Colin Nicholson]

Is it the top or bottom panel missing? It can be quite easy for the bottom panel to drop off.
easy way & cheaper (if you are not selling the piano) is to buy some MDF to build the frame, some plywood for the centre, and beading for the inside of the frame.. then veneer it. Most pianos are made from a carcus wood, then veneer laid on top, then wood stain applied to match.. so maybe some oak veneer. If thats hassle, then PM me - I know a supplier who may have scrap parts.

[vernon]

If it's the bottom door,just replace it with a plain panel in marine ply without all the beading etc
Easy to match it as it's in the dark and nobody really ses it.

[mdw]

I wouldnt do a thing. They lost it, its up to them and their insurers to sort it out until you are happy.

[Micky]

The bottom panel (bottom door) will probably made out of the same wood... You could supply them with that, it might help.

Sorry - I didn't make it clear. It's the bottom panel that's missing.

[vernon]

Take the top door to your local piano shop and, in agreement with the removal people, ask the piano people to just make another bottom door to match.Simple.Any competent piano shop can do it.

[Colin Nicholson]

Just managed to dig out some plans I made for a bottom door about 5 years ago - same thing happened, went to tune this piano, and bottom door was missing! The customer wanted it looking "similar" to the top in design (beading etc), so I made one. Depends on joinery skills - prob. semi skilled will do this job, but if you want it veneering/ polished/ panel & beading, then a more skilled job to get a pro finish. If piano shop wont do it, try a joiner.... loads about.

If its just a quick job you want, buy some timber - 1' (thick) X 5' (wide) .... will need just over 3 metres in length, so get a 4 metre length.... costs about £4 - £5. Ply wood will be about 105 X 30cm (rough guess)

This design is the 'U' shaped bottom door, but you can make it square instead and just pop a wooden knob on panel B. Using wood dowelling, join/ glue & clamp panels B + C to A.... then join up panel D - join all panels together at same time and clamp whole lot together. Then just get some plywood, measure it up for the 'window' in the middle - cut it slightly bigger than the window, fix it around all 4 panels (at the back) with small screws or panel pins, then bead up the front. Will need a couple of sash clamps aswell to go either side of A + D panels & spare timber so you dont damage or dent the sides during clamping.

Here is a guide below (for the build).... but dont go by these measurements, you'll need to measure the piano where bottom door went - bit like fitting a window!

[Micky]

Thanks to all for your suggestions, and especially to Colin for finding the plans and his detailed instructions.
Armed with all the information I shall now be able to make sure that I get exactly what is needed and that the job is done properly.