The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-02-07
Piano Making.


Piano Making.
Ii takes nearly four years to make one
instrument; three years and some months
to season the wood, and three months "a
form the parts. No less than 16 differen,
kinds Of wood enter into the formation
embracing the softest, toughest, hardest
heaviest, lightest, and most compact grain.
In the faction" alone, there are IL differ.
ent kinds Of wood. The piano, moreover,
is cosmopolitan, from the fact that the veg
etable, animal, and mineral kingdoms Of
the world contribute to its composition.
While spruce pine from Northern New
York, maple from West Massachusetts,
pine and ash from Michigan, cherry from
Pennsylvania, walnut from Indiana, and
poplar from West Virginia, after passing
through choppers, sawyers, raftmcn and
inspectors, as well as buckskin Of four
kinds, first from the wild deer and then
from the manufacturers are necessary, this
country does not furnish all the material
required. Six kinds Of felt, four kinds of
cloth, four kinds of metal, besides silver for
the plate, silver-gilded strings, cast-iron,
many kinds of paper, as also ivory, ebony
and varnish, are all imported from other
countries. In an ordinary piano there are
500 screws, 10 strings, So keys, and $50
key and tuning pins. In a seven-octave
square about 80 square feet of veneering
is used, and in the faction" alone there
are no less than SORE pieces. From the
foregoing, some conception Of the rcqui-
sites of a square, upright, or grand piano
may be formed.
First in the manufacture of piano
co mes the seasoning Of the wood, which is
done by two years exposure. Next it is
subjected to several months storage in an
open building, each piece being separated
to get an air drying, and then quarantine
of several months in building heated
with steam, followed by ten stages of hot
air drying during the process of manufac-
ture. Each manipulation of the wood and
each coat Of varnish is followed by dry.
ing process, and in the case Of the outside
rosewood pieces a regular roasting. The
heavier pieces Of wood being worked by
machinery, they together with the legs
are carved by the hands of skillful artists
to the required shape, and the sounding
and other boards shaved to the requisite
thinness by planning machine. Then
comes the glueing, bending and veneering,
each followed by the drying, all of which
is accompanied with the most minute and
elaborate detail. Next in order are the
cases and tops, which are vanished five
times, each coat being entirely scraped of
and another put on until the grain of the
wood appears, when they receive several
more coats of polish warn ish, are again
scnped and then rubbed down with pun
ice stone, again vanished, again rubbed,
and then polished by hand. The iron
frames, after b cling japanned, receive sew
eral coats Of paint, and are then rubbed
down and bronzed, after which they are
ornamented in shaded gilt. The compli-
Gated details Of fitting the frames, finishing
the sounding boards, making the bridges,
uprights, strings and pins, as also the del |
icate scroll saw manipulations in making
the ivory keys and wooden lace work for
music rests, all battle description. The
ivory, like everything else, is submitted to
the drying process to prevent varying.
Next in order is placed the sounding board,
fitting the strings and key board, and max
ing the movement" The movement"
which includes the pedal arrangement,
hammers, hampers, and innumerable other
,ontrivances, which differ in the various
kinds Of instruments, is so complicated
and elaborate in its construction rs to de-
y description, As is well-known, each
Key struck going certain distance, which
liffers in each key, raises a grooved ar
connecting with the hammer
IF that key which, as the grooved connec-
ion slips out, hits the wire and flies back
o the first position. Each hammer flies
. different distance, and is also regulated
BY the felt coverings The pedal operates
IN the wires by strips Of felt which press
against them. The movement being plac-
ID in position the wires are strung and
,ther finishing touches given, when, the
instrument having been carefully regulat-
ID by tuning-fork, the tone aud modula-
ion is perfect, and the manufacture Of the
piano is completed.
A BEAUTIFUL TREE.-The camphor
rec perfumes the air, and its leaves yield