Do you dry the ribs, along with the board, prior to gluing ?

[Prof. Euphonious Thump]

Dear List,
     I'm attempting a  soundboard recrowning by a
method another technician says he's done dozens by,
successfully. The first step involves extensive drying
in a " dry room ". ( Mine's a  portable building with
a  dehumidifier and oil-filled heater,  where the
humidity's about 10%, and the heat's about 90 ). 
     It's been in there a couple of weeks, and the
board's existing cracks are nice and wide, but I
haven't glued the board back to the ribs, yet, where
they're loose on the sides of the cracks, and suddenly
wonder if, maybe, I should have done this before I
dried it all down ???
     In other words: if I glue them now, and the board
and ribs take on moisture, will that, in fact, cause
the baord to push the ribs DOWN, because the 
( very dry  ) wood that's glued to them will be justa 
tad sort of where it used to be ? 
   Or am I worrying too much about "nothing" ???

   And I sort a figured that the question of whether
ribs were dried prior to glue-up had some bearing on
the question.

Thump



--- Jude Reveley/Absolute Piano <juderev at verizon.net>
wrote:

> Hey Fenton,
> 
>   Hi Terry and Jude,
>   I'm following this with interest and think I'm
> missing something. I can't for the life of me see
> any weakness, from a strictly structural standpoint,
> of any component being laminated. This, I would
> think, would only help to increase stability and
> uniformity. Unless, of course the adhesive were
> faulty. Since we are assuming these components will
> not be below the water line or subjected to high
> heat, almost any accepted wood glue should be fine.
> I guess sub freezing temperatures should be
> considered. There is such a huge area of glue joint,
> I can't imagine a failure, but, I'm intrigued by
> your concern Jude, I hope you will share some of
> your research. 
> 
>   Maybe there is no need for concern. I would refer
> everyone to read Bruce Hoadley's "Understanding
> Wood" if you haven't already, and if you have,
> reread the section on the strength of wood. There
> are several entries on horizontal sheer. I would be
> interested in any informed statements on its
> application to laminated ribs and panels.
> 
> 
> 
>   BTW, Jude, I just got a tour of Rick Wheeler's
> shop, he say's hi. Loved your piano in Rochester.
>   Fenton
> 
> 
>   Thanks, that piano was a real challenge unto
> itself; and I was shaking in my boots given the
> company (remember my piano was right between Ron
> N's, Dale Erwin's and David Anderson"s). Rick is a
> pretty clever guy, isn't he.
> 
>   Best,
> 
>   Jude
> 



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