----- Original Message ----- From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: September 21, 2001 4:19 AM Subject: Re: Bolt strength > .... I did a Baldwin Hamilton a while back with a 1/2" to 1" separation > across the entire back. It was a lot of work bringing it back together with > the ten clamps - and that was with tension down two full steps, and I did > not quite get it completely back together - but at least the damper were > rising from the strings (that was the original complaint from the customer - > the plate was so bent over, the dampers were not able to lift from the > strings!). > Your use of multiple clamps is well advised. Many vertical plates are rather weak along the top of the pinblock. Too much clamping force in just one area could be a problem--as in a broken plate. You'll rarely get one of these things all the way back together. The longer the gap/separation has existed, the harder this will be. Which is why you use a combination of bolts and adhesive to hold them once you give up on the notion. It's also why I use epoxy. In the end, when everything is cured, I can grind off the excess and at least it looks like there's no gap left. Ron's point is well taken, though. Titebond will generally do the job and it's much less messy. And, if you're concerned about leaving a visible gap, you can always shim the thing. Del
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