Upright side panel loose

[Jim Coleman, Sr.]

Hi Paul:

It is very important that you get the side panel back in
the exact spot. Since the action bears tightly down on the
action support bolts, you must remove the action to 
dry fit the sides to the back assembly. In the dry fitting
process, you must carefully watch the wood fibers at the
broken joint to get the panel lined up vertically and
horizontally. Once you think you have it aligned 
perfectly, firmly clamp it in place using a 2X4 that 
is clean and smooth covered with a soft cloth (to avoid 
scratching the panel finish). You will need several large
clamps. I like to turn the piano up on end with the 
clamped side up so that I can can see any of the cross
sanding marks where the panel is smoothed and levelled 
with the back assembly. Once everything seems to fit
properly, make some fine pencil marks across the joint for
easy location later when you apply the glue.

The multiple clamps are necessary because the side panel
is a weight bearing structure.

Now set the piano up on its casters. Replace the action.
note the fit of the Bass dampers especially. Check the 
letoff and other regulation points. Assuming this 
piano is a relatively new piano, there should be a 
reasonable amount of "lost motion" in the capstan 
adjustment (ie, so that the jack can get back under the
hammer butt on a slow key release), but not so much that
you can feel excess lost motion in the keys.

So far this seems fairly simple, but if the piano was 
dropped causing the loose side panel, there may be many
more complications. If that is the case, write again.

Once you feel everything is lined up properly, turn the
piano back on its opposite side, remove clamps, apply 
glue and reclamp noting carefully the pencil marks placed
earlier.

Jim Coleman, Sr.

PS If the piano were dropped, there could be additional
complications with loose keybeds, strained action 
bolts (top and bottom), dampers forced out of 
alignment, etc. JWC



On Mon, 10 Aug 1998, Paul Plumb wrote:

> Dear List,
> 
> I have a Weber piano - entry level model console, continental style that
> the right side panel has come loose.  The piano is still under warranty -
> that is not the problem.  I would like some advice on how to put this panel
> back where it belongs.
> 
> The glue joint between the frame and panel separated absolutely clean - no
> fibres pulled out of the panel.  There are no dowels or screws between the
> frame and panel and since this is a polyester finish I can't see putting
> screws through from the outside of the panel into the frame.  Where the
> keybed attaches to the panel there are 3 screws that pulled out, along with
> most of the wood fibre around the screws.  The only place the panel is
> still attached is the block of wood that connects the panel to the bottom
> board.
> 
> Is it necessary to use the same type of glue?  Would it be best to remove
> the 3 screws at the keybed and start 3 new holes?  Are there any special
> techniques to use while clamping to guarantee that the keybed is back where
> it ought to be?  Just want to be sure before I glue this up.
> 
> Thanks in advance
> 
> Paul Plumb, B.Mus.
> Plumb Pianos
> London, Canada
> 
> culink.com/~plumb/PlumbPianos.htm
>