Upper back repair

[Walter Sikora]

Warren,

I did this kind of repair on a large Steinway upright about three years
ago. I let off the string tension and worked TiteBond as deep into the
crack as possible.  Can't remember whether I used larger or longer plate
screws.  I think I just used the original screws.  Of course it needs a
lot of clamps to bring it back together.  In any case, this repair has
apparently held for about three years now.


Walter Sikora, RPT
Chapel Hill, NC

On Thu, 6 Mar 1997, Warren Fisher wrote:

>
> I have a yamaha school studio in a public school that has the upper ends
> of the back posts and its cross board pulled away from the pin block
> about a quarter inch on the left tapering to a crack on the right. My
> intent is to put glue in there, put about ten pipe clamps across the top
> and then remove the top plate screws and drill all the way through to
> the back to install large 6 large bolts to support this puppy.
>
> Do any of you have any thoughts, warnings, tips or reservations about
> this process?
>
> I have a couple of questions:
>
> 1. If I just tighten this back up after gluing, how much pitch increase
> will I get?  The piano is just a little flat. Could it be too much?  Do
> I need to release string tension with all that can of worms?
>
> 2. Is there anything else I should check before I start gluing?
>
> Any help will be greatly appreciated?
>
> Warren
> --
> Warren D. Fisher
> fish@communique.net
> Registered Piano Technician
> Piano Technicians Guild
> New Orleans Chapter 701
>