[pianotech] Old soundboards

[Terry Farrell]

Whereas I've not tried using steam, but yes, I should think it quite  
effective in swelling crushed wood cells. Matter-of-fact, I should  
think it would work quite dandy!

And not only would you end up with still-crushed/damaged-but-swollen  
wood cells, you would likely have many more swollen and crushed wood  
cells. As a matter of fact, you might not even need that 'ole 2x4 to  
whack the soundboard out from the rim - it might just fall out in a  
heap of sawdust.

All jesting aside, when balance rail holes in keysticks are subjected  
to water to swell them to correct a too-big-hole, such treatment is  
usually also with some sort of glue - like titebond or the like. The  
water will swell the wood, and the glue, once it sets, will give the  
swollen wood some artificial support. Crushed wood cells not only are  
smaller ('cuz they're crushed), but also the crushing implies that the  
cell walls are damaged and the cell no longer has size support. You  
might be able to swell the crushed wood some, but with the slightest  
pressure reapplied, it will tend to crush right back down very easily.  
Bottom line, once wood is crushed, it is crushed for good (or bad, but  
forever).

Terry Farrell

On Nov 8, 2010, at 6:37 PM, Joe Wiencek wrote:

> Hi List,
> I have a fairly ridiculous question (or maybe not.)  Would steam  
> have any effect in swelling crushed wood cells in an old soundboard,  
> similar to swelling keystick balance holes? Practicality aside, why  
> or why not?
>
> Joe Wiencek
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