My first bit of bad news

[David Ilvedson]

Of course if a strut happens to be under the problem rib separation some glue and a wedge can close it up.   I'd be trying wedges first to see where the buzz is coming from...a really good repair is the piece of piano wire with wing nut and wooden separator on one end and a locking thingee/set screw on the other end...you drill through the rib/soundboard with a very small drill bit...apply glue and turn down the wing nut....when dry you simply remove it.   Old news I'm sure...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044


----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Marcel Carey" <mcpiano at videotron.ca>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Received: 8/16/2006 9:22:55 AM
Subject: RE : My first bit of bad news


>The one thing I don't like with the sheetrock screw, is the weakening of
>the ribs. You have to drill 2 holes about 7/32" in each rib along the
>crack. What I prefer to do nowdays is just use one small screw and a
>piece of flat maple. I drill a very small hole in the rib right on the
>crack and then srew my block from the front pushing that soundboard
>against the rib. When this is not possible because of the plate being in
>the way, I would use a screw right in the crack from behind, leaving a
>lot of it protruding in the back, use medium CA glue between the board
>and ribs and then just use plyers to pull on the screw toward the ribs
>and wait a few seconds for the CA to set. I then remove the screw. This
>way at least the ribs won't be weakened (never mind that old uprights'
>boards are already flat).

>Marcel Carey, RPT
>Sherbrooke, QC 

>> -----Message d'origine-----
>> De : pianotech-bounces at ptg.org 
>> [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] De la part de Greg Newell
>> Envoyé : 15 août 2006 20:50
>> À : Pianotech List
>> Objet : Re: My first bit of bad news
>> 
>> 
>> When faced with situations like this where I 
>> absolutely HAVE to do SOMETHING when I'd really 
>> rather bail unless they buy the full package I'll 
>> just throw in a few drywall screws into the ribs 
>> on either side of the crack and call it a day. Kinda 
>> depressing really.
>> 
>> best,
>> Greg Newell
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> At 03:58 PM 8/15/2006, you wrote:
>> >Hi all.  I’ll vent on you because my husband
>> >just doesn’t “get it”.  Today was my first 
>> >experience with telling a customer that her very 
>> >pretty 100 year old Ludwig upright has major 
>> >cracks in the soundboard and needs serious 
>> >help.  (It’s buzzing in the F4 area).  She spent 
>> >too much money on the piano, can’t afford an 
>> >overhaul, and just stared at me like I’m supposed to perform 
>> miracles.
>> >
>> >Any sympathy or miracle suggestions are welcomed.
>> >
>> >Michelle Smith
>> >Smith Piano Service
>> >Bastrop, Texas
>> >(512) 466-0238
>> >michelle at cdaustin.com
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> 
>> Greg Newell
>> Greg's Piano Forté
>> mailto:gnewell at ameritech.net
>> www.gregspianoforte.com  
>> 
>>