You could also have a look at:https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0486231399/ref=nosim/pianoaccess02-20Personally, (speaking as one whose relationship with woodworking can only be described as abusive and highly dysfunctional), I think you're nuts. But if your successful and become a famous piano maker, remember I tried to be helpful.
most good piano makers keep their knowledge under lock and key.
In a safe protected by a pack of ravenous IP lawyers.Be interested to hear how you get on.
Also, have you broached the subject with your fiance?
I did find these guys - fandrichpiano.com - they consult on piano design with actual manufacturers so I may be able to get some ideas out of them, and some more comprehensive specifications than the "this long, this heavy" you get from well known manufacturers. I emailed them, we'll have to see if the cost is prohibitive.
I often endure and help with dogs that have severe behavioral problems (I've been bitten several times) - consequently I have the moral highground
Since their day job is selling this information to big companies, I suspect "prohibitive" is likely to be a serious understatement.Haha, cool. Ouch, though!
I was angling for an older half arsed generic design with no inovations of any kind - and that I would likely have to agree not to use it commercially.. even then I may be pushing it..
where as a dominant aggressive one would be more likely to rip you to shreds to assert itself.
And now is the time to start raising that baby elephant for the ivory. No time to waste on that one!
I plan to bribe the local zoo keepers when the time comes..
Piano frame designThe piano's frame, the massive supporting structure underlying the instrument's acoustic and structural viability, must not only be able to support over 230 kN of string tensions but must possess certain properties that can appear conflicting. For example, the frame must be rigid but retain certain flexibility; it must have sufficient mass to assist the low frequencies but not to adversely affect the high frequencies; it should be constructed from a material with a low coefficient of thermal expansion to minimise changes in string tension and hence vibration frequency; be relatively straightforward to manufacture, usually by a casting process; be aesthetically pleasing, as it is usually in the view of the audience; shaped so that parts and components of the piano's playing mechanism can be accommodated, and be designed so that any bar resonances will not interfere with the instrument's frequency range. Furthermore it is desirable for the piano frame to have the lowest mass possible wi thout detracting from its musical intent.
Found a couple of links you might find useful:https://www.piano.christophersmit.com/frame.htmlhttps://www.mishasmith.com/index.php?/projects/023the-notes/https://www.strand7.com/html/pianopaper.htm
My understanding is that they do sometimes crack. They can be welded to fix, but not sure how satisfactory that is. Most junk pianos though should have an intact frame, so seems like a plan.
if you want to make a piano from scratch, you must first invent the universe