I was recently tuning a Samick upright and discovered the practice pedal was not working. After some fiddling, I realized the turnbuckle connecting the the two rods right above the pedal was not holding the threads - it had been reamed out, most likely through years of use. It needs to be replaced.

I am a fairly young piano technician, and only do it on the side, so I don't have much experience ordering parts like this. Does anyone have a suggestion as to the best place to find this part?

Thanks for any help, and thanks for the forums. My first time posting, but I have visited here many times before.

The first place I would look for a hardware item like that is a hardware store. Getting it locally is fastest.

After that, you could try the manufacturer, or a supply house might be able to find it for you.

I would contact Samick with a model and serial number. I've had compamies send out small parts like this for free.

If I recall correctly this is a white plastic piece… if it is maybe you could cut the side of a plastic milk jug and shove some into the hole; the metal rod will cut new threads….

BDB, your hardware store comment reminded me of a part I needed a few weeks ago. It was a little L shaped rod with threads on the end. It was from a Baldwin Grand from the 50's. One end screwed into the damper lifter rod and the other was held down by a flange and worked as a hinge to raise and lower the dampers. The old one had broken off. I looked on every piano supply website and could not locate it. I also took pictures and emailed them to Shaff and even a few restoration people with no results. As a last attempt I went to Lowes, and sure enough they had exactly what I needed. It turned out to be a rather common hardware item for under $1. I felt a little silly.

Thanks everybody! To be honest, I never would have even thought of looking at the hardware store. I would have assumed that the turnbuckle is a pretty specialized part, even if it is just plastic - but from the sound of it that might need to be my first stop.

Any opinions about supply houses vs. manufacturers? Is it always better to get parts from the manufacturer (if possible), or does it completely depend on the part?

I'd be open to any shameless ads for supply companies.

You wouldn't be able to fine the turnbuckle at a hardware store. Contact the piano manufacturer and they should send you some.

Hardware stores have turnbuckles. They may be metal, though. That should not be a problem, but you have to make sure the thread is correct.