Separated back, part 2

[James Baker]

When I went in to tune, the lid (a two part with hinge in the middle) just
came off in my hand.  I opened the front and went apoplectic. The treble end
of the plate was bowed out what looked like a foot-and-a-half at the time (I
now estimate 3 inches).  I immediately started letting off the tension and
the plate went back mostly to it's original shape.  I used large C clamps to
pull everything together and pipe clamps to hold.  I made several passes
until everything was tightly together again.  I removed the useless hex
headed wood bolts, drilled through and bolted all the way through and
counter sinking in the back for large washers, nuts and bolt (all in their
living room on moving blankets).  I pulled the pitch back up from floppy
loose to A440 and no strings broke either.  Dumb beginners luck explains the
no cracking, I guess.  I had only been out of school a year or less.  I do
not remember if I used 4 or 5 bolts and I have not tuned this customer in
years so I don't know how it came out long term.  I was not even aware that
I should use epoxy and did not notice any glue behind the plate.  The piano
was about 100 years old.

James Baker
(wearing the ever stylish cotton work slacks, like dockers but heavier, and
button sports shirt which may be viewed Tuesday evening at the bar in
Chicago)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Farrell" <mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2002 5:35 AM
Subject: Re: Separated back, part 2


> Three inches??? WOW - that is some kind of separation! Tell us more. The
strings must have been mashed into the hammers while at rest? The plate must
have been bent quite a bit? You were able to pull it back together without
cracking the plate? This is way cool. Please tell us the whole story.
Thanks.
>
> Terry Farrell
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "James Baker" <JamesBakerRPT@carolina.rr.com>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Friday, June 21, 2002 9:02 PM
> Subject: Re: Separated back, part 2
>
>
> > I have used bolts only and had success.  I did let down the tension
because
> > it was my first and the treble end of the plate was about 3 inches from
the
> > back and scared me to death.  I inherited the old upright from another
> > relatively new tech (~14 years ago) who had pitch raised it quite a
> > distance.
> >
> > James Baker
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Clyde Hollinger" <cedel@supernet.com>
> > To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> > Sent: Friday, June 21, 2002 4:19 PM
> > Subject: Separated back, part 2
> >
> >
> > > Friends,
> > >
> > > A couple weeks ago I asked your opinion on using epoxy without bolts
on
> > > a separated back.  Now I need help on just the opposite.
> > >
> > > Today I serviced a 1931 Starr Remington upright with a separated back.
> > > For some reason this problem escaped me when I tuned it two times
> > > previously.  Money is a problem for the client, so two years ago I
tuned
> > > it where it was (50c flat), last year I replaced all bridle straps and
> > > tuned (40c flat), and recommended that this year the piano get a
> > > pitchraise and tune.  Then I noticed the separated back problem.
Uh-oh.
> > >
> > > The board glued to the top of the piano above the pinblock (but under
> > > the lid) is split also, and partly loose, I suppose.  But it greatly
> > > increases the difficulty and cost of this job if I break off that
board
> > > to get epoxy into the cravasses.  Do you think I will have a
successful
> > > repair if I use bolts only?  I would pull the back together with
clamps,
> > > drill, bolt, remove clamps, leave it at that.  That's what I would
like
> > > to try if you think it will work.  What think ye?  Anyone try this?
> > > Results?
> > >
> > > Regards, Clyde
> > >
> > >
> >
>