Suggestions Wanted For Soundboard Repair

[bases-loaded@juno.com]

Hi Glenn -

It does sound like a tough place to get glue in, but I wouldn't worry
that much about the old glue causing a problem.  Most certainly it is
hide glue, and new warm hide glue should mix just fine with it.  Yellow
glue will NOT mix well with it.

If you CAN get the critter positioned so that gravity will work for you,
a straw could be used to control the application of hide glue into the
right place.  Clamp overnight.

Good luck!

Mark Potter
bases-loaded@juno.com

On Tue, 14 Nov 2000 11:03:11 -0500 Glenn Grafton <gleng@fast.net> writes:
> We have a grand that we're in the process of rebuilding-an average 
> calibre
> make.
> 
> It's been refinished, getting a new pin block, etc. Soundboard is 
> being
> shimmed and has enough bearing.
> 
> The glue joint of the soundboard to the liner is loose in a few 
> places-you
> can hear it by tapping around the perimiter of the soundboard.
> 
> The question is:
> What are some suggestions on how to best re-glue the loose sections 
> before
> the plate goes back in?
> 
> Our technician working on it feels that just getting some glue in 
> there and
> clamping it is not the best since there is old hide glue in there 
> already
> and the old glue will prevent a good bond with the new glue.
> 
> I had a similar problem before with a vertical piano and solved it 
> the
> following way:
> Cleaned out the glue joint where it was loose by working a ground 
> down hack
> saw blade in the glue joint. This cleaned out the old glue.
> Worked glue into the section, with the help of gravity (actually 
> since the
> piano was in our shop we suspended the piano upside down with a lift 
> we
> have as the joint in question was at the top).
> Clamped soundboard to liner.
> 
> It's a little bit harder than that with this piano as it is a grand.
> Getting to the joint where the soundboard is loose is in the back 
> part of
> the piano and has a piece of wood that extends out about 8" above 
> where the
> rear leg is attatched. Removing that section would make it easier, 
> but that
> part of wood is glued in and the case has already been refinished.
> 
> Any tips appreciated!
> 
> Glenn Grafton
> Grafton Piano & Organ Co.
> Souderton PA
> http://www.dprint.com/grafton/
> gleng@fast.net
> 800-272-5980
> 
> The box said "Requires Windows 95, or better." So I bought a 
> Macintosh.
> 
>