The Piano Bench

I need some help. I have a Kimball artist's bench with a clever hydraulic mechanism for raising and lower it. Kimball, of course, is out of business. The hydraulic mechanism stopped working the other day--the bench just drops down to the bottom of its range with a clunk. I could live with this, but I'd rather not.

I talked to a friend who does lots of machine work, and he thinks it's fairly easily fixed, particularly if we can find anything resembling a service manual, a technical drawing, or anything that would show the parts needed. (He thinks it's most likely an O-ring that needs to be replaced, and that can be obtained at any auto parts shop.) I've just been looking online, though, and can't find a trace.

Any ideas? I'm willing to entertain suggestions for a replacement bench, but I'd prefer hints about repairing the mechanism or at least finding documentation.

I'd prefer not to join the legions of piano owners with broken benches, but I admit that until the other day, mine was one of the few artist's benches that actually worked right. So it may just be fated.

 

Why dont you try to replace the specific part by taking (if it is the O-ring) to a hardware store or a store specializing in hydraulics / pneumatics. If not then there is always duct tape :lol:

 

I hear Mr. Gould's piano bench is up for auction!

 

Hi,

another alternative: get a new ERGONOMIC piano bench see http://www.ergonomicpianobench.com
there have been lots pf pianists loosing their back problems with this bench.
Wolfgang