Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum Mason and Hamlin A Caster Sockets

I am currently repairing a 1920's era Mason and Hamlin A that, honestly, should probably be occupying landfill space. My current problem is that the casters and the caster sockets had been pilfered from this piano before I got it and now I am stuck. None of the caster sockets currently available are anywhere near the correct size. The caster socket mates with the Brass leg ferrule and the geometry is such that it would be difficult for me to duplicate on a lathe (several concave/convex surfaces). My question is; does anybody know where I might find some used sockets that would fit? I also wouldn't mind replacing the brass leg ferrules as these are all scratched up but I think those might be more difficult to find than the sockets. I have been looking on ebay and etsy with no luck. If anybody has any suggestions or has ever ran into this problem, I'd certainly appreciate any feedback. Thanks.

The original casters have cast sockets with brass wheels swaged in the socket. They are not made any longer. Supply houses sell similar casters, and we adapt. The cheap way would be Schaff #981, with an appropriate socket and bushing, and the more expensive way would be #2600 or 2601.

Thanks for the reply BDB. I suppose my plan is to get a CR-3 socket and turn it down on the lathe until it nests into the brass ferrule properly. I guess epoxy putty and dowels will get the wood back into shape.....

You may just want to get a socket that fits, like a CR-5 or CS-1 or 3. The supply houses may just switch it out for you. You may need CWF wood bushings to support the stem.

Ah, the bushing would simplify things. Thanks for the tips. Much appreciated.