Back separation

[Newton Hunt]

Jeff, this is not such a big deal, especailly if you have the piano in the
shop.  If it is in the home it is more involved because you have the plan for
each step so you have the tools needed.

Lay the piano on its back and lower the tension of one string of a unison,
then the second string of each unison and then the final set.

Drmove a screw from the plate that will allow the bolt to go through a back
post.  Drill out this hole to 1/2", all the way through.

If now convenient screw is available you will have to drill throught he plate
to get a properly possitioned bolt.  All bolts should be near the upper edge
of the plate where the factory put a bunch of screws.

Get 7/16" carriage bolts, washers and nuts from the hardware store.  THe
bolts need to be long enough to go through the piano but not so long that you
will run out of thread to tighten.

The bolts go through from back to front so you have a nice finished
appearance from the back of the piano and so nuts and such will not be
gouging out the walls.

When all is prepared, bolts fitted, etc.  then clean out the crack so you are
not going to have an open crack.  Get or cut blocks to protect the plate and
dry set several C-clamps ready when the glue goes in.

Using whatever, syringe, sticks get as much glue in the crack as you can.  I
would use regular wood glue.  Get the C-clamps going, the bolts in the
righten it all up several times to get it as tight as you can, including all
the rest of the plate screws you can get to.  Allow to set for a day or so,
then tighten the bolts again and remove the clamps.

Tune, tune, tune.

It works.

      Newton
      nhunt@gandalf.rutgers.edu