[pianotech] Glue Strength for Pedal Lyre Repair

[Tom Driscoll]

From: "Paul Milesi, RPT" <paul at pmpiano.com>
Subject: [pianotech] Glue Strength for Pedal Lyre Repair


> Advice sought ASAP.  One of my high-profile clients, an embassy here in 
> DC,
> tried to move a 1917 Steinway B off a 2' stage without professional mover 
> or
> counsel and broke the lyre off.  :(  Broke the top block in half the long
> way, right along where the two rear screws go in.  Clean break, but left
> half the block and plate attached to the piano, and of course the lyre on
> the floor.
>
> Piano is needed for concert Saturday 10 AM!  A couple techs here advised
> gluing original block with Titebond.  Thought this might be adequate, as
> glue joint will be stronger than wood.  I confess I have limited 
> woodworking
> experience, so still find it difficult to put my faith in a glue joint 
> being
> that strong.  :)  When I expressed doubt, it was suggested that I might
> possibly drill from rear of block to install two 1/2" or 3/4" dowels,
> stopping short of front of block, for reinforcement.
>
> This morning I unclamped the lyre block after 24 hours and my glue repair
> appears solid.  Can I put the lyre on for Saturday's concert and trust it
> not to fall apart?  I don't have access to a drill press until early next
> week.  Might I try to drill 1/2" or 3/8" for dowel freehand with hand 
> drill?
> Or should I leave well enough alone?
>
> By the way, I have thought about borrowing a lyre from a school piano and
> seeing if it fits.  Just a fallback position.  Might I make it work 
> easily?
> Not my first choice, but emergency situation with very limited time to 
> work
> with making me think outside the box a bit.  Schedule jammed every day 
> this
> week with performance work, so somewhat stressed!  Didn't need this kind 
> of
> repair/worry.
>
> Thanks for any advice.
>
> Paul Milesi, RPT
>

Dude,
     Two words :   Re- lax. With all that surface area that repair will be 
strong. If  few dowels inserted will give you peace of mind , why not go 
ahead and free hand drilling is more than adequate.
  We tossed around the concept of lyre as a pivot when setting up a grand 
piano a few weeks ago and to be safe I would not use this repaired lyre as 
such and also forget the replacement lyre idea. If this was newer a Yamaha 
and you had the same model available it might work but on an older Steinway 
there are too many variables .
 Just one more piece of advice---Sit at the back of the auditorium and if 
you hear a big crack and the lyre falls onto the pianists shins you can slip 
out the back unnoticed.

Tom Driscoll