my own Soundboard

[Greg Newell]

Stephen (and Del),
    This is quite surprising to me. I've never considered end grain joints to be strong with
any glue. i.e. unless it's in the middle of a panel but that doesn't really count ... does it?
I guess that's actually what we are talking about isn't it. I guess i was thinking of a quite
naked joint of 2 boards glued end to end with nothing else around them. I can't envision that
being very strong, but then I've never done it. Time to go play and FIND OUT!!!

Greg

Stephen Birkett wrote:

> Greg writes:
> >     I was speaking of a butt joint with end grain. A Scarf joint is a different animal
> > entirely. Your right, of course, that it can be a very strong joint if done correctly and
> > it is found on most long bridges in many pianos.
>
> I've seen scarf joints in old soundboards. Waste not want not.
>
> As for the infamous end grain butt joint I've also seen that. Contrary to commonly
> accepted wisdom, hide glue end grain butt joints are surprisingly stubborn. I've also
> seen hide glue butt end grain to face grain, e.g. pinblock to sides in Ruckers
> harpsichords...also a surprisingly strong joint. Nothing is sacred in the real world
> of historical wood-working practice. The best education when someone tells you it
> shouldn't (can't) be done is to do it and defy them to pull the joint apart.
>
> Stephen
>
> Stephen Birkett Fortepianos
> Authentic Reproductions of 18th and 19th Century Pianos
> 464 Winchester Drive
> Waterloo, Ontario
> Canada N2T 1K5
> tel: 519-885-2228
> mailto: birketts@wright.aps.uoguelph.ca

--
Greg Newell
mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net