Separting ribs on an upright

[Paul McCloud]

Jon:
    The question is, why not screws?  Of course, there are other ways, by using various wedges and clamps to glue the ribs back on.  You can use the backposts to attach a board to.  Use wedges between that board or backpost and the rib.  I have used lag bolts to act as clamps by  attaching a board with holes in it, using lag bolts with the head pressing against a rib.  Using a nut threaded on the  bolt, you can force the rib against the soundboard by tightening the nut.  You probably would have to have the lag bolt(s) inserted before attaching the board to the  back posts.
    I usually use epoxy with a small, flexible spatula to get the glue in between the sound board and the ribs.  Or, if you have compressed air, you can blow it into the crack, or use a vacuum to suck it from the other side of the rib.  If there's no way to wedge the rib, use a string clamp by passing a wire through a small hole drilled into the rib and soundboard.  Tie the wire to something on the other side of the hole, and use a tuning pin clamp.  The advantage is that the hole is very  small and unobtrusive, and when the wire is removed, is almost invisible.  You can make tuning pin clamps easily out of scrap pinblock.  Let me know if you have never seen these type of clamps and I'll try to explain how to make them.

Paul McCloud
San Diego
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Farrell 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2006 10:13 AM
  Subject: Re: Separting ribs on an upright


  My first question would be: why is it a problem? The only problem I can think of is that the rib/panel might buzz (and of course, the other problem is that the piano is old and worn out and warped and falling apart and needs a new soundboard, etc., etc.). But if it doesn't buzz, then it's not a problem (other than the old piano thing...). 

  If indeed there is any reason to attempt a fix and you don't want to clamp anything, my recommendation would be to mix up a small batch of West System epoxy thickened with their #403 Microfibers just thick enough to stay in place. Clean up with acetone.

  Terry Farrell

  ----- Original Message -----  
  > Here's a question for the group.  Every now and again I come across upright 
  > pianos where one to several of the ribs are starting to separate from 
  > soundboard.  Is there any easy way to solve this problem other than rigging 
  > a clamping system.  If not, is there an easy clamping system?  I prefer not 
  > using screws as a clamp.
  > 
  > Thanks,
  > 
  > Jon 
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