Hello everybody,

I've been searching for some fun facts for David's talk next week and came
across this one from the Department of Labor's web site (those of you who do
not know how to file and install a metal soundboard, or who have no idea how
to bend metal bridges: shame on you!)

- Marina


United States Department of Labor
Office of Administrative Law Judges Law Library

DICTIONARY OF OCCUPATIONAL TITLES (4th Ed., Rev. 1991)

730.281-034 HARPSICHORD MAKER (musical inst.)
Lays out, machines, fits, assembles, and finishes wood, metal, and plastic
parts to build harpsichords, applying knowledge of material properties and
harpsichord construction: Measures and marks wood, metal, and plastic to lay
out instrument components, applying knowledge of instrument design or
following sketch or drawings. Operates woodworking machines and uses
handtools to form wooden case parts. Sands and scrapes wood parts and
applies varnish, stain, or oil to finish surfaces.  Fits and assembles
parts, using handtools, to assemble harpsichord case. Files cast metal
soundboard to fit soundboard into case, using handtools. Operates drill
press to drill holes for tuning pins, following template or drawing that
locates holes. Bends metal bridges to specified contour, using vise and
handtools, and installs bridges on soundboard. Bends nonmetal bridges to
specified contour,using steam and clamps, or saws curve-shaped bridges,
using bandsaw, and installs bridges on soundboards. Inserts tuning pins and
strings instrument, using various gauge wires. Operates shop machines and
uses handtools to cut and shape wood, plastic, and leather to form parts of
keyboards and actions. Sets pieces of veneer into surface of wood sides of
harpsichord to decorate instrument, using glue. Fits and assembles keyboard
and action parts and installs them. Carves, shapes, and tapers plectrum
(plucking device), using knive. Tunes instrument to specified pitch, using
tuning fork, tuning wrench, and handtools. Visually and tactually examines
completed instrument and corrects defects. Repairs used instruments. May
apply decorative trim, such as stripes, decals, or gilt to finished
instrument [DECORATOR (furniture; toy-sport equip.) 749.684-014]. May design
and prepare working drawings to build harpsichords.
GOE: 05.05.12 STRENGTH: H GED: R4 M3 L3 SVP: 6 DLU: 77