Rim splitting

[Ted Simmons]

Lance,
   Where do you get this West Systems and Epotek epoxy?

Ted Simmons

>I would fill/repair with West Systems epoxy.  If you have to, drill holes
>along the crack to wedge a tool in to open it up a bit.  You may consider
>dental oral syringes to inject the epoxy. Plastic grocery bags will keep
>the epoxy from spreading too far.
>If you need thinner epoxy, Epotek makes epoxy as thin as water.
>
>Lance Lafargue, RPT
>New Orleans Chapter
>Covington, LA.
>lafargue@iamerica.net
>
>----------
>> From: Delwin D Fandrich <pianobuilders@olynet.com>
>> To: pianotech@ptg.org
>> Subject: Rim splitting
>> Date: Thursday, June 26, 1997 8:40 PM
>>
>> John W. McKone wrote:
>>
>> > I just got back from looking at a Yamah CFIII that I will be rebuilding
>> > soon, and found one heck of a rim split.  This is not your typical
>> > lamination separation that any of us who rebuild see fairly often, but
>a
>> > horizontal split completely through the rim, from inside to outside.
>The
>> > split is about a foot long and is located about one inch above the
>> > soundboard.  It begins on the bass side of the piano, just where the
>rim
>> > begins to curve around the back.
>> >
>> > Has anyone had any experience repairing something like this?
>>
>> Yes. If possible try to find out why it split. I've done three that
>> split in a similar manner due to the piano being dropped by movers. This
>> seems to happen more often in Japanese & Korean pianos because of the
>> "select hardwood" that are typically used in their rims. It's doubtful
>> that there would be a structural defect in a piano like this, but check
>> it out anyway.
>>
>>
>> > I'm trying to
>> > decide what glue and/or filler to use to get the best combination of
>> > stability and structural integrity.  It seems to me that fiberglass
>might
>> > be the best bet for gap filling,
>>
>> "Fiberglass" may fill the gap, but it's a lousy adhesive. Use a good
>> quality, reasonably fresh epoxy designed for wood bonding. Check a
>> marine supply shop. Geougen (check spelling?) Brothers WEST System epoxy
>> is one that would be very good for this purpose.
>>
>> > but may not hold the split as well as something like resorcinal.
>>
>> Resorcinal is an excellent adhesive if the glue line is very thin. It is
>> a very poor gap filler.
>>
>> > Ideas? Comments?
>>
>> Assuming that you use epoxy, you will have to be certain that you fully
>> saturate the crack. This means that you will have to figure out some
>> method of injecting epoxy fully into the cracked area. If you aren't
>> able to do this, you may have to open the crack up further.
>>
>> I'll leave it to others to deal with repairing the polyester finish
>> after you're through.
>>
>> Call if you want to discuss this further. I'm in the directory.
>>
>> ddf
>>