[CAUT] Glue Strength for Pedal Lyre Repair

[Fred Sturm]

I agree. I have done that repair a few times (on Bs), never a failure.  
That lyre design is either a serendipitous mistake or a cunning plan.  
They break without damaging the keybed or the lyre structure, just  
that top piece. Other lyres aren't so easy.

Fred
On Apr 29, 2010, at 7:07 AM, Porritt, David wrote:

> Paul:
>
> If you aligned the pieces right, applied enough glue to both  
> surfaces and clamped it for 24 hours, I think you're good to go.   
> Titebond is good glue.  Don't sweat it.
>
> dp
>
>
> David M. Porritt, RPT
> dporritt at smu.edu
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf  
> Of Paul Milesi, RPT
> Sent: Thursday, April 29, 2010 7:45 AM
> To: PTG Pianotech List; PTG CAUT List
> Subject: [CAUT] Glue Strength for Pedal Lyre Repair
>
> Advice sought ASAP.  One of my high-profile clients, an embassy here  
> in DC,
> tried to move a 1917 Steinway B off a 2' stage without professional  
> mover or
> counsel and broke the lyre off.  :(  Broke the top block in half the  
> long
> way, right along where the two rear screws go in.  Clean break, but  
> left
> half the block and plate attached to the piano, and of course the  
> lyre on
> the floor.
>
> Piano is needed for concert Saturday 10 AM!  A couple techs here  
> advised
> gluing original block with Titebond.  Thought this might be  
> adequate, as
> glue joint will be stronger than wood.  I confess I have limited  
> woodworking
> experience, so still find it difficult to put my faith in a glue  
> joint being
> that strong.  :)  When I expressed doubt, it was suggested that I  
> might
> possibly drill from rear of block to install two 1/2" or 3/4" dowels,
> stopping short of front of block, for reinforcement.
>
> This morning I unclamped the lyre block after 24 hours and my glue  
> repair
> appears solid.  Can I put the lyre on for Saturday's concert and  
> trust it
> not to fall apart?  I don't have access to a drill press until early  
> next
> week.  Might I try to drill 1/2" or 3/8" for dowel freehand with  
> hand drill?
> Or should I leave well enough alone?
>
> By the way, I have thought about borrowing a lyre from a school  
> piano and
> seeing if it fits.  Just a fallback position.  Might I make it work  
> easily?
> Not my first choice, but emergency situation with very limited time  
> to work
> with making me think outside the box a bit.  Schedule jammed every  
> day this
> week with performance work, so somewhat stressed!  Didn't need this  
> kind of
> repair/worry.
>
> Thanks for any advice.
>
> Paul Milesi, RPT
> Washington, DC
> (202) 667-3136
> E-mail:  paul at pmpiano.com
> Website:  http://www.pmpiano.com
>
>

Regards,
Fred Sturm
fssturm at unm.edu
http://www.youtube.com/fredsturm