The Frame Game (again)

[Marcel Carey]

Alan,
 
I remember the post, but the pictures never showed up. Maybe you should
post the pics on the ptg files site.
 
Marcel Carey

-----Message d'origine-----
De : pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] De la
part de Alan R. Barnard
Envoyé : 11 septembre 2006 19:04
À : pianotech at ptg.org
Objet : The Frame Game (again)



I was disappointed to get no responses on this posting because I really
need some help, hints, or whatever.

I'm posting it again, with hopes ....

  _____  

See picture. This is a 1916 Willard player (rebuilt) that is in pretty
good shape except it turned out to have a block separating from the back
frame. Rats. I know some will counsel to fall back 10 yards and punt,
but this is really not a walk-away situation. By the way, the fold-back
case lid was removed with a 2 1/2 sledge "cushioned" by a block of
pinblock material (top plate of my pinblock support tool); brutal but
effective, thanks Ron Nossman.

 

I know how to do the normal drill-thru and bolt fix, but this piano has
an extra "mystery" beam across the top. Note in the picture that the
back of this beam has lifted about 3/8 inch while the front edge is
still in line with the case sides.

 

The lag bolts, where I would drill thru, actually would come out right
at or slightly above the separation of the mystery beam from whatever is
under it. If you stick a steel rule into the opening of the long crack,
it will go in several inches in some areas and only about one inch in
others--I've represented two of these areas with the "S" and lines. They
appear to be some sort of vertical structure in there, probably
mortissed into the mystery beam but NOT extensions of the back posts
(they don't line up).

 

The inset picture shows that the plate only comes up part way on the
mystery beam. There is actually a strip of decorative cast iron that
goes across the top and is secured by screws. At first glance, it looks
like part of the plate, but it is not. Weird.

 

Anyone ever dissected this kind of construction? 

 

I'm afraid to pry and bang to remove the beam because I don't know how
it's attached/mortissed/glued. Do you think I could risk sledging or
clamping it down where it belongs then securing it with glue and
vertically driven (countersunk) lag screws?

 

Since the new long bolts will exit right through the separation, will
large washers be enough support, or should I think about a strip of
steel plate along that area, or something?

 

Help!

 

  <C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Desktop\Hicks' Piano Pix\B%26W
Pic.JPG> 

 

Alan Barnard
Salem, MO
Joshua 24:15


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