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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: rs74 on March 24, 2010, 06:59:24 PM
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Hello everyone, I have a Tonk piano stool that I am trying to find information on. Does any one have any idea where I can look for information or even pictures of this stool. It has an iron center with three twisted wrought iron legs. It has the screw in post to adjust your height with a wood top. I can get a picture of the stool if need be it would probably be a good idea anyway. Other than sitting in the shed collecting dust, where the top screws on to the stool the iron base is broke. You can still see where it says Tonk, Chicago, New York. Is there any reproduction pieces made for this stool so I can repair it. One guy told me to take it to the welding shop and have them weld on a piece. I do not like this idea as it will distort the work Tonk on the base as thats where it is broke. Also what is the value of this stool. Any help would be appreciated. Roy
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You can try www.liveauctioneers .com I use it on occasion to research pieces.
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Welcome rs74! and yes, pictures would be great......makes identification easier when searching. Are the legs on your stool all metal or part metal part wood? There are some Tonk stools out there for sale, but the styles differ from your description. Likely some are advertised without the name included, so being able to see yours would help.
Here is a bit of info on the company itself.
http://antiqueshoppefl.com/archives/May05/cs110.htm
"Max Tonk, born in Berlin in 1851, went with his family to Chicago in 1857. He learned to carve and worked in his uncle's piano and organ factory carving embellishments of the instruments. In 1873 he opened his own carving shop supplying the Chicago cabinet industry with fancy ornaments for cabinets and caskets. In the 1880s Tonk Manufacturing began to make swivel seat piano stools for the growing musical industry. Tonk became the largest maker of piano stools in the country, making the majority of swivel seat stools on the market, including the ubiquitous round oak stool with claw feet. Tonk Manufacturing was eventually headed by three generations of Tonks."
Here is a wood/bronze/glass stool currently up for auction. It appears to be in very good condition.
http://www.seeauctions.com/show_item/155813/
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Here are a few pics of the stool. I hope this helps
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;)
http://www.bargainjohn.com/f402cPianoStool.htm
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Another Thumbs up Sapphire ;) ;)
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Oh wow! I was on that site earlier but did not see that. Thanks. How would I go about restoring this piece. I think someone has just painted this black some years ago. It also looks as if it may have sat outside the legs are a little rough. I was thinking of having it soda blasted but did not not know what the proper way was to finish it. I like the one in the picture, it has a bit of copper color to it. Is there a special way to finish these. Also what about the broken piece on mine. What do I do? I dont want to ger rid of it as it came from my parents.
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NICE Sapphire!!!!!
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Haha, finishing is not my forte.........love the search but will leave the restoration advice to others ;)
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It looks like you are missing a large piece of metal that would hold the seat on. It would be necessary to have a welder fabricate a fix for you. Unfortunately a break will affect the value, but at least this fix would be hidden up under the seat. If it were mine, I would just clean the iron and oil it to prevent rust, if it needs it at all. The iron looks pretty darn good except for the break under the seat. I'm guessing that the wooden seat may need restoration if it is really bad, but I'm for leaving us much of a piece's history as possible. It is hard to tell from the photo, but unless it is really wasted, I'd leave the wooden seat be too, and just get a repair done so that it is functional.
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Williams Tonk & Bros manufactured grand upright pianos starting 1881 to very early 1900's - these Tonk Pianos were produced in New York and Chicago. You guessed it...these pianos became very popular and were abundant in honky tonks!!!!!!! (Honky Tonks were bars with musical entertainment in the South.)
"Max Tonk, born in Berlin in 1851, went with his family to Chicago in 1857. He learned to carve and worked in his uncle's piano and organ factory carving embellishments of the instruments. In 1873 he opened his own carving shop supplying the Chicago cabinet industry with fancy ornaments for cabinets and caskets. In the 1880s Tonk Manufacturing began to make swivel seat piano stools for the growing musical industry. Tonk became the largest maker of piano stools in the country, making the majority of swivel seat stools on the market, including the ubiquitous round oak stool with claw feet. Tonk Manufacturing was eventually headed by three generations of Tonks."
Copied from http://antiqueshoppefl.com/archives/May05/cs110.htm (http://antiqueshoppefl.com/archives/May05/cs110.htm)
Some of the nicer stools with glass ball claw feet sell in the $250 - $300 range. This one should sell in the $175 - $200 range if in excellent shape and $50 tops if repairs aren't made.
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Thanks Sapphire, You helped me out a bunch. I am really glad you found a picture of another stool. Anybody else have a touch for refinishing? The seat is in really good condition. In my opinion it just needs to be refinished on the top side. It doesnt really need it, the finish is dull and I like them to have a little shine to them. The piece that is broke- there is only one good screw hole left. The holes on each side of the good one is broke right in the middle of the holes. If I have to have this welded on than I will. But would like to find an alternative. To bad I cant find someone to make me mold and then make me a new piece. I would like to keep the broken piece like it is if I can fix it another way.
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rs, I know I ran across another Tonk I think on ebay. It was an all wood one, but possibly it would have the same mechanism/plate underneath. I think it was going around the $10 mark, if I remember correctly. Will go back and see if I can find it. It would sure be well worth the money if it would work as a replacement.
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http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Tonk-Glass-claw-foot-piano-stool_W0QQitemZ160416017663QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAntiques_Furniture?hash=item25598a2cff#ht_500wt_1182
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I am guessing the broken metal flange piece screws onto the center base post. At least it looks that way to me. I would use some liquid wrench on those (rusted) threads and then unscrew the broken flange. This may take some muscle as I am sure it has been on there for years. I would turn the center post up, use 2 pieces of wood (to not mar the center threaded post) on each side of the post, clamp the wood in pipe clamps, brace the long arms of the pipe clamps against a garage/basement wall, and then try to turn the broken flange wearing some heavy leather gloves. If you can take the center post out and clamp it in a large bench vise padded with wood, so much the better. After the broken flange is off, I would see if a stock pipe flange will fit the existing threads. That would be an easy fix. If not, I am sure someone local can make a replacement steel flange for you to fit this post. I would save the broken one.
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Sapphire I just looked at the stool on e-bay. I am going to try to contact the owner and see if they will give me a price. You are like a bloodhound way to go.
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Wayward, I think the treads on the stool are a bit different than a pipe tread
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Great idea to use a standard piping flange Wayward! I'm guessing the holes will probably be on a standard centerline. I think you can use a couple of pipe fittings and create an adapter of sorts for the center threads.
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I guess I can always give it a try if all else fails. Thanks for all the input folks but I am turning in for the night. Thanks again you have all been a big help.
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As far as the busted flange goes , I don't think it's worth welding - it'll always be weak , since it's cast iron .
I'd look for another for a 'parts stool' .
If you must decide to have your cast iron flange welded , I'd suggest you have your metalworker fill it up with babbet mat'l , (after it's been welded back together) so as to lend some support to your assembly .
Most piano stools I've sat on have ACME threads for the seat .... is this so for yours , rs74 ?
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The ACME threads would be for the center post threads that allow the seat to be raised up or down. The flange would be threaded on differently and may be either right or left hand. The flange needs to be taken off to find out what tpi they are. A simple stock pipe flange may be all that is needed for this repair.