Bridge cap materials

[Delwin D Fandrich]

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----- Original Message -----=20
From: "Ron Nossaman" <RNossaman@cox.net>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: October 12, 2002 11:09 AM
Subject: Re: Bridge cap materials



Yes, except it doesn't necessarily have to be quarter sawn. It doesn't =
have=20
to be 10=B0 either, 5=B0, or 7=B0, or whatever will work too. Most wood =
isn't cut=20
parallel to the long grain, nor is the long grain usually exactly =
straight.=20
When you are putting together a stack for gluing, you swap slabs end for =

end, or flip them over, to get cross ply angles from the natural run of =
the=20
grain relative to the edges of the slabs. That way, you can have the =
slabs=20
all stacked together with parallel edges when you glue them up, without=20
wasting wood squaring them up after assembly. Grain just 3=B0 off =
parallel to=20
the edges of the slab will make a 6=B0 cross ply with every other one=20
flipped. Let the material work for you.

I've used everything from 10=BA to 90=BA and have not been able to tell =
the difference acoustically. I've not gone below 10=BA. Obviously, =
laminating the stock at something like 10=BA makes it much easier to =
hand notch. I've not hand notched for some time but I don't recall this =
material being much more difficult to notch than a solid wood cap. I =
have always assumed the apparent density to be greater at 90=BA but have =
no idea what this means in actual practice. These days, with the power =
notcher I just use Delignit but with the new grand will probably switch =
back to home made laminated caps. Just for looks.


>
>Can I assume that with this process you end up with a lot of wasted =
wood?

Yes, in the re-sawing and planing. That's why I'd prefer rotary cut=20
material if I could find it in less than $5000 lots.

We still have a supply of 1.5 mm thick rotary cut hard maple veneer left =
over from a large order we placed some years ago and have been using =
that. At other times I've used up to 2.5 mm veneers (also rotary cut) =
with reasonable success. I should think much thicker than that and you'd =
begin to lose at least some of the benefits of laminating. This stuff is =
readily available but, as Ron points out, at some cost. Most venders =
want to deal only with very large orders.=20


>
>  How do you clamp your laminations? I should think the assembly would =
be=20
> too wide for your pneumatic clamps. Do you just use a whole bunch of=20
> clamps closely spaced?

Pinblock scrap cauls, top and bottom, and however many clamps look =
right.


>
>Then you mention rotary cut maple. Now how would you go about making a=20
>high quality cap out of that?

Just like that.

Ditto to both.

Del

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