[pianotech] baldwin sf cracked bridges

[Delwin D Fandrich]

Technically, you're right. But, remember, these bridges are vertically laminated
all the way to the top; they have no cap. And when they let go they really let
go! The wood simply wasn't up to the task. 

I've tried repairing them with epoxy (as did the factory, way back when) with
limited success. If the cracking is not bad--i.e., you catch it early
enough--they can usually be epoxied with some reasonable expectation of the
thing holding together. But for really severe splits epoxy just doesn't work.
They must be capped. Or the whole bridge must be replaced. And to replace one of
these bridges with another of the same design is simply folly.

I wouldn't even offer the option of an epoxy repair on one of these things.

ddf

| -----Original Message-----
| From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org 
| [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Farrell
| Sent: March 20, 2009 2:42 PM
| To: pianotech at ptg.org
| Subject: Re: [pianotech] baldwin sf cracked bridges
| 
| There's no such thing as a bridge that can't be epoxied back 
| together. That being said, there's something to be said for 
| putting a new cap on a cracked bridge also. Depends a lot on 
| the condition of the piano and how much the owner is willing 
| to spend on repairs.