gustav becker tambour

[curly]

I just picked up a gustav becker tambour and it is in need of repair. I have attempted to remove the movement with no luck. the chime rods and block have been removed, and also the screws on each of the four straps have also been removed and the movement still is tight in the case. Any hints on how to remove this movement. The movement is marked with P18 next to the becker logo and has a serial number of 2387530. Thanks for any assistance, Curly

[curly]

I just picked up a gustav becker tambour and it is in need of repair. I have attempted to remove the movement with no luck. the chime rods and block have been removed, and also the screws on each of the four straps have also been removed and the movement still is tight in the case. Any hints on how to remove this movement. The movement is marked with P18 next to the becker logo and has a serial number of 2387530. Thanks for any assistance, Curly

[MikeP]

Most likely the movement straps have simply adhered to the inside of the case by being in that position over the years. If the inside of the case is finished (shellac or lacquer), this will be worse. You could either just use the brute force method - just grab the movement by one side or the other and pry it off the case or apply a few drops of lacquer thinner at the point where each strap contacts the case. BE CAREFUL - don't get any of this on the front of the case. I have never seen a tambour movement that was held in by a method other than the movement strap screws.

And be sure you have removed the screws from all straps - sometimes it's easy to overlook one. I assume you have removed the hands...

[lpbp]

Are there machine screws through the bottom of the seatboard, into the posts on bottom of movement?

Larry Pearson, FNAWCC #35863