Soundboard recrowning and rib re-arching.

[Farrell]

>    Those who have "poo-pooed" soundboard recrowning
> haven't gone about it the alleged "right way", i.e.
> drying the piano in 10% RH for a  couple of weeks,
> screwing boards with threaded inserts across the back,
> and using bolts to impinge on the ribs, at the crack
> line, to really open them up specifically at that
> point. Then putting in shims made of old soundboard (
> "petrified" as it has been called here ) in cracks
> that are COMPRESSRED open, not carved out with a
> router or chisel. That is the way
> D.L. Bullock says he's been doing it, with success,
> and I believe him.

I'm not sure I would be comfortable doing all that, but that might not 
matter!

>     I would, though, like to add this suggestion: I
> was discussing all this with a  major rebuilder who
> asked. "But what are you going to do about the ribs?
> They're part of the crown, too."

And what part might that be?

>  Pondering this on
> the way home from his shop, it occurred to me hat the
> ribs might be scraped clean of finish. Then, ina
> "flexed out" state, painted with super-thin CA glue,
> whicj should impregnate the wood, making ita  lot
> stiffer.

Did the ribs loose some stiffness somewhere? How much did/do they need?

>    If any of y'all want to try this before I get a
> shot at it, and report back, please do!

I would, but I gotta sharpen my chisels and plane blades.  ;-)

Terry Farrell

>     Thanks,
>     Thump